American Lion Reconstruction Poster

Lions in Africa, lions in Europe, lions in Northern Asia and lions in North America. 200,000 years ago lions were the most successful and widespread large carnivore on Earth. 
 
Reaching a height of of 130 cm at the shoulder and weighing in at 400 kg, the North American lion - Panthera leo atrox was one of the largest species of Panthera to have lived. 
 
The reconstruction below is based on the proportions of a particularly large individual unearthed at La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. 
Today his skeleton adorns the halls of the Paige Museum of Natural History. 
 
 
Full reconstruction video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAvwfFkZAMg
 
 
This massive lion thrived and lived alongside giant bears, dire wolves and saber-toothed cats until their extinction 12,000 years ago. 
 
What a terrifying sight it must have been for early North Americans crossing the Bering straight to come across a pride of these monstrous cats. 
 
May the spirit of the lion, grace your presence and inspire you to be a force for a greener, wilder, sustainable future.