Lions are thought to be native to Africa. This statement applies to modern lions such as West African and Barbary lions. However, an ancient species of lion, the cave lion, has been found in Europe. From being felines to their communication techniques, the two species are similar.
There is a question of who wins a battle between two animals. What happens when two kings of the jungle go to war? This article will provide an accurate description of these two species, from which it is reasonable to infer who would win such a contest.
Discovery and Fossils – Where to Find It
Cave lions have been discovered as early as 1810. These finds range from Eurasia to North America. As such, they are footprints and bones, limiting the information researchers can extract. In 2008, a pile of bones was found in the Russian village of Anyuisk, identified as a cave lion.
In 2018, the first well-preserved cave lion fossil was discovered in Yakutia, Russia. The cave lion was a cub that died and was preserved in ice. The cub, a female named Sparda, still has fur. Not far from this discovery, another male cub was found in the ice about 50 feet away. In 2017, a frozen cave lion cub was found on the banks of the Tirekhtyakh River in Russia. The fossils are between 28,000 and 30,000 years old. These remain the best-preserved specimens of cave lions ever found.
©
Extinct – When did it become extinct?
European cave lions became extinct in the late Pleistocene about 13,000 years ago. According to the study, a reduction in prey populations may have been a key factor in the species’ extinction. Researchers have found evidence of these lions being skinned for their pelts. This has led to the hypothesis that cave lions were also hunted to extinction by humans.
description and dimensions
cave lion scientific name Leopard. Cave lions are giant animals that share a resemblance to tigers. These similarities include thick striped fur and rounded skulls and ears. These lions are also known as European Cave Lions or Eurasian Cave Lions.
In a migration pattern common to most living things, lions migrate from Africa to Europe, North America and Asia. These lions then had to adapt to the new environment, which affected their evolution. Some facts about cave lions include:
- Height – 3.11ft / 120cm
- Weight – 400 – 770 lbs / 200 – 350 kg
- Length – 6.11ft/210cm
- Attributes – strength, stamina, and large size (often called a giant lion)
modern lion with scientific name Leopard. Leo is the Latin word for lion, and Panthera is a Greek word for big cats. These lions include the Barbary, West African and Cape lions. Unlike cave lions, modern lions can be sexed based on their appearance. Male lions have a mane, which describes the long, thick hair that grows around the neck, and is slightly larger.
While the lifespan of cave lions is unknown, modern lions can live between 8 and 15 years in the wild. These lions can live much longer in captivity, over 25 years. Facts and figures about modern lions include:
- Height – 3.5 – 4 feet / 100 – 120 cm
- Weight – 300 – 550 lbs / 150 – 250 kg
- Length – 5.5 – 8.5 feet
- Attributes – bushy mane, strength
Diet – What do cave and modern lions eat?
Both cave lions and modern lions were carnivores, which means they ate meat. Their specific diet will depend on the resources available in their respective fields. Cave lions mainly prey on animals such as caribou, mammoth and bison. These lions are big and fast, traits that help in hunting large game.
Modern lions are also carnivores, mainly preying on mammals such as wildebeest, zebra, African buffalo, antelope and giraffe. Due to their small size, modern lions only fight the young of larger animals such as elephants and rhinos. They only hunt large mammals when the opportunity presents itself, or they do it as a pride.
Habitat – when and where they live
Cave lions existed from the Pleistocene to the early Holocene. Eurasian cave lions migrate from Africa to Europe and Asia. This action may be a response to climate differences in Africa. Cave lions are also believed to live in forests, as some have been found near herbivorous habitats.
Modern lions can be found all over Africa. They can be found in savannah areas, open plains, and dry forests. The availability of prey animals often determines the habitat of modern lions. These lions get most of their water from prey. They only drink water when they have the opportunity. Therefore, these lions choose their habitat based on where their prey is plentiful.
Unlike cave lions, modern lions use sneaky tactics to attack prey. These lions are small enough to hide in tall grass. Tall grass also provides shade to the modern lions on the open plan. Therefore, they will seek out habitats in areas that offer them. In general, lions are highly adaptable to different habitats, as long as there are enough animals available to hunt.
Threats and Predators in Cave and Modern Lions
Cave lions are large and strong, making them virtually immune to predation. Based on what we know about modern lions, the threats faced by cave lions are likely to be similar. Specifically, cave lions face many threats from birth, including starvation and adult males that are not related to them. Presumably, these lions were hunted to extinction by humans. Therefore, the biggest threat and predator facing cave lions is humans.
Modern lions face a variety of threats, most of them from humans. Usually, a lion is not hunted or attacked unless it is alone. Hyenas are a threat to lions because they are numerous enough to kill a lion and they compete with each other. Lions can be injured, especially when hunting large prey or prey with harmful defense mechanisms. However, these threats cannot be compared to the threat humans pose to lions. Habitat loss from human activity, trophy hunting and poaching has contributed to the dwindling lion population.
© iStock.com/jez_bennett
animals similar to cave lions
Animals similar to cave lions include:
- Lynx – Bobcats are members of the big cat family, but are solitary animals. This big cat lives in the forests of North America, Europe and Asia.
- Tiger – Tiger (tiger leopard) is a member of the big cat family, but the most powerful of them all. These cats have a distinct orange/brown coat with white markings and black stripes.
- leopard- of Leopard is a beautiful big cat commonly found in parts of Asia and Africa. Weighing between 82 and 200 pounds, this cat also primarily feeds on large animals.
- Liger – This is the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger. The liger is a hybrid and the largest big cat in the world, standing about 12 feet tall when standing on its hind legs.
How fast can they go?
Cave lions have been speculated to reach speeds of 30 mph/48 km/h, while modern lions can reach speeds of 49 mph/80 km/h. This means that modern lions have this advantage and can run faster than cave lions. However, lions usually cannot run for very long, even during hunts. So this probably isn’t a plus for modern lions. Both lions will swing their paws more often, using their long, sharp teeth to smother their opponents.
how they communicate
Eurasian cave lions are thought to communicate using the same means as modern lions. Male voices are louder and deeper than females; growling is therefore the most typical form of communication. A growl may be a sign of hostility and dominance towards an enemy, or it may be a form of social bonding.
in conclusion
There is no real fight between cave lions and modern lions. Therefore, the facts discussed above will suggest potential winners. Cave lions were larger and stronger than modern lions. Modern lions, while faster, can only run for so long. This is because lions were not built for this activity.
In close quarters combat, modern lions are more likely to be protected from fatal blows by their manes. This fact is an advantage that cave lions may not have. However, it is speculated that cave lions had more stamina and strength and could outlast modern lions in battle. Modern lions can barely beat tigers in a fight. So modern lions would likely lose the fight to cave lions.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
