The Cave Lion (Panthera spelaea, formerly Panthera leo spelaea) is a large prehistoric felid from the Holarctic region. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The cave lion, also known as the Steppe Lion, is a member of the big cat family that is closely related to the modern African Lion. Although physically resembling its modern relative, the cave lion was larger, with some specimens reaching body lengths of 2.5m (8.2ft) and potentially weighing up to 339kg (747lbs). Cave paintings suggest that males did not possess a mane, although they still would have been larger than females.
Believed to have first evolved in Europe, the cave lion spread across Asia and into Alaska and Canada. Living in open regions such as mammoth steppes and boreal forests, it would have been an apex predator, hunting a variety of species with a preference for Reindeer. It is currently unclear as to whether cave lions lived in prides like their present day relatives or were solitary animals. The cave lion is generally accepted to have went extinct roughly 13,000 years ago, with unconfirmed specimens living even later.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The cave lion is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Extinct Animals expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption when a zoo reaches a rating of 3.5 stars.
The cave lion is an Alpine animal, but will also tolerate Temperate Forest, as well as Boreal Forest and Tundra to a lesser degree. It requires a Glacier in its exhibit to be fully comfortable.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| Also called the European or Eurasian cave lion, this massive cat lived more than 10,000 years ago, and, as its name suggests, it slept in natural caves during the winter. Its size, speed, and strength made it a formidable predator. The male cave lion was unadorned with the stylish ruff of mane and matching tail worn by today's modern lions, going instead for the sleeker look of a major predator. Its one concession to fashion was its coat, which it probably changed with the seasons, becoming white in winter to blend into its snowy habitat. |
Trivia[]
- In the game, cave lions are portrayed with red fur. Studies in later years after the game's release of preserved fur and frozen cave lion cubs instead reveal that cave lions were born with yellow fur, similar to modern lions, which turns grey as the animal grows older.
- In later years, the cave lion was upgraded in classification from a subspecies of lion to a separate species, Panthera spelaea, due to evidence that they were not closely related to modern lions.
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