7 Ancient Cat Species That Prowled The Earth Before Us
Discover the world of ancient cat species that prowled the Earth before us and satisfy your curious mind about these majestic creatures.
- Saber-toothed Tiger (Smilodon)
- History: Lived in North and South America during the Pleistocene epoch.
- Discovery: Fossils first found in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
- Lore: Famous for their long, curved canine teeth.
- American Lion (Panthera leo atrox)
- History: Roamed North America during the Pleistocene epoch.
- Discovery: Fossils were first discovered in the early 19th century.
- Lore: Was one of the largest types of cat ever to have existed.
- Cave Lion (Panthera spelaea)
- History: Lived in Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene epoch.
- Discovery: First discovered in German caves in the early 19th century.
- Lore: Cave paintings of this species have been found in the Chauvet Cave in France.
- Homotherium
- History: Lived throughout Africa, Eurasia, and North America during the Pleistocene epoch.
- Discovery: First discovered in the early 19th century.
- Lore: Also known as the scimitar cat for its elongated, curved upper canines.
- Barbourofelis
- History: Lived in North America during the Miocene epoch.
- Discovery: First discovered in the mid-20th century.
- Lore: Despite its feline appearance, it was more closely related to the nimravids, a family of prehistoric mammals.
- Proailurus
- History: Lived in Eurasia during the Oligocene epoch.
- Discovery: First discovered in the early 20th century.
- Lore: Considered the first true cat, with many characteristics of modern felines.
- Machairodus
- History: Lived in Africa, Eurasia, and North America during the Miocene epoch.
- Discovery: First discovered in the 19th century.
- Lore: One of the largest saber-toothed cats to have ever existed.