The cave lion, scientifically known as Panthera leo spelaea, was a large subspecies of lion that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. These majestic creatures roamed across Europe, Asia, and North America, thriving in various habitats, including open grasslands and rocky areas. They were larger than modern lions, with robust bodies and long limbs, adapted for hunting large prey. Cave lions are often associated with prehistoric humans, as they were depicted in ancient cave art, highlighting their significance in early human culture. They primarily hunted large herbivores, such as woolly mammoths and reindeer, and became extinct around 14,000 years ago, likely due to climate change and human activities.