European Cave Lion

The European cave lion, or Eurasian cave lion, is an extinct species of lion that was present in Europe and became extinct around 13,000 years ago. The lion is the inspiration for the national animal of the Kingdom of Holland, among other European dynasties. Cave paintings of the lion have been discovered in France and Germany, as well as regions of Siberia.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Some have posited the P. spelaea is a close relative and subspecies to modern African lions. However, others have hypothesised as being closer to tigers based on the shape of the skulls. A subspecies has been designated to those that have been discovered in Siberia and the area of Beringea.
The European cave lion evolved from P. fossilis around 460,000 years ago in Central Europe. They grew to be common throughout Eurasia from 410,000 to 14,000 years ago. Bone fragments have shown they were larger than modern lions, though had less developed teeth.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Based on isotopic analyses, the European cave lion fed primarily on reindeer. However, it has also been shown to have preyed on cave bear cubs and other cervids. It likely competed for food from other predators such as the European leopard and cave bears in North America.

Additional Information

Social Structure

It is unknown if the European cave lion was a social species like the modern lion. Some evidence have been discovered thats hows it might have been solitary, much like modern tigers.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The European cave lion was spread throughout Europe to Alaska. The species has been found throughout the Iberian Peninsula and southeast Europe. A keystone species of the Mammoth steppes, the cave lion was an apex predator alongside the grey wolf and brown bear.

EXTINCT

Scientific Name

Panthera spelaea

Origin/Ancestry

Europe and Asia

Conservation Status

The European cave lion is extinct.