Zoology: Bones (Fossil / Prehistoric)

This impressive cave lion canine is from the Cave Lion skull (BC-104). These large, conical-toothed cats of the North American Ice Age (becoming extinct about 15,000 years ago) were a relative of the present day African lion, Panthera leo. This specimen was found by a local Yupik Eskimo from an area near Nome, Alaska, and is believed to be between 15,000 and 25,000 years old. Recent studies have suggested that some of these species actually showed more tiger-like features than lion-like. We are grateful to the Babiarz Institute of Paleontological Studies for the opportunity to cast this individual.
5" / 12.7 cm Long