The Cave Lion (Panthera spelaea and Panthera fossilis)

[Ghari Sher]

New article out on the new cub Spartak.
https://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/ancient-cave-lions-had-spots-believe-scientists-after-analysing-starving-cub-spartak-preserved-in-permafrost/

*This image is copyright of its original author

He appears to have faint spotting on his back, but it does not seem to be very extensive. Boris (who is identified as a bona fide cave lion by the author despite previous doubts that he may be a lynx) seems to be rather plain, and Uyan as we previously know had faint spots atop the head, not in a dissimilar place to Spartak I guess.
The spotting on the cubs doesn't seem to be as prominent or extensive as in extant lion cubs, which in my mind raises the likelihood that the adults had very plain coats indeed, moreso than the faintly-spotted coats of today's lions.

Just gorgeous. Reply