American Lion (Panthera atrox)

Status: extinct

This was the largest cat found in the La Brea tar pits. The American lion lived from Alaska to South America, and was thought to be one of the most formidable hunters, as its counterpart the African lion is. The American lion is larger than the African lion, but had the same traits, large canine teeth and retractable claws. Approximately 100 specimen of these large cats have been recovered at La Brea.