Animal Info Lions Place of Origin

About the place of origin of lions, their genus and ancestors from millions of years ago in Eurasia.

LIONS

PLACE OF ORIGIN

Eurasia. The lion is a member of the genus Panthera, which includes the tiger, leopard, and other great cats. This genus shares evolutionary origins with the domestic cat, evidenced in similar structural characteristics; both are descendants of the Neofelids, catlike creatures that existed around 40 million years ago. The great cats of today first appeared on earth about 1 million years ago.