American lion

The American lion (Panthera atrox (/ˈpænθərə ˈætrɒks/), with the species name meaning "savage" or "cruel", also called the North American lion) is an extinct pantherine cat native to North America during the Late Pleistocene from around 129,000 to 12,800 years ago. Genetic evidence suggests that its closest living relative is the lion (Panthera leo), with the American lion representing an offshoot from the lineage of the largely Eurasian cave lion (Panthera spelaea), from which it is suggested to have split around 165,000 years ago. Its fossils have been found across North America, from Canada to Mexico. It was about 25% larger than the modern lion, making it one of the largest known felids to ever exist, and a dominant apex predator in North American ecosystems, alongside the sabertooth cats Smilodon and Homotherium. It has been suggested, like modern lions, they were social animals, although this is not known for sure.

The American lion became extinct as part of the end-Pleistocene extinction event along with most other large animals across the Americas. The extinctions followed human arrival in the Americas. Proposed factors in its extinction include climatic change reducing viable habitat, as well as human hunting of herbivore prey causing a trophic cascade.