Lion Information
www.tigerace.com/info_lion.html
Species: Panthera leo
Sub-species: azandica, bleyenberghi, hollisteri, krugeri, leo, massaicus,
melanochaita, nubica, persica, roosevelti, senegalensis, somaliensis, verneyi
© Scotch Macaskil, Wildlife Pictures Online
Conservation status: Of the numerous subspecies taxonomists have defined, several are already extinct. The Cape lion became extinct in 1860 and the Barbary Lion of North Africa was eliminated from the wild in Morocco in 1922. Numbering approximately 23,000, the world's remaining lion population is vulnerable. A small population of some 200-300 Asiatic lions still exist in the Gir Forest sanctuary in India.
Distribution: Now confined mostly to central and southern Africa, lions once roamed throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Size: With a body length of up to 300 cm and a tail length of up to 105 cm, the largest lions can be over 400 cm long. Males are usually larger than females and can weigh up to 225 kg. Females usually weigh up to 168 kg.
Appearance: Lions are characterised by their tawny yellow coat and males have a thick mane in varying shades from gold to black. White lions have also been seen both in the wild and in captivity, though these genetically mutated animals are extremely rare.
History: The lion has often been labelled the 'king of beasts' or the 'king of the jungle'. This second term is somewhat ambiguous considering that lions generally prefer to live out on the plains and savannahs of Africa. The 'king of the jungle' term relates better to the Asiatic lions, which used to roam extensively throughout the forests of Asia. Today, the Asiatic lion exists only in the protected Gir Forest of India. Its numbers may be as few as 250. The tiger is also sometimes called the 'king of the jungle', which seems far more appropriate considering they are the largest of the cats and the jungle is their main habitat.
As early as 185 BC, the Romans captured lions for their arenas and used them for blood-sports such as hunting re-enactments and killing slaves. In one instance, over 100 lions were said to have been massacred without offering any resistance. Hunting of lions for Italy and the African provinces is believed to be one of the reasons why lions vanished from North Africa.
Common names/Species list:
Panthera leo azandica — African lion (North East Congo)
Panthera leo bleyenberghi — African lion (Katanga)
Panthera leo hollisteri — African lion (Congo)
Panthera leo krugeri — African lion (South Africa)
Panthera leo leo — Barbary Lion, Atlas Lion, Nubian Lion (North Africa)
Panthera leo massaicus — African lion (Massai)
Panthera leo melanochaita — Cape Lion
Panthera leo nubica — African lion (East Africa)
Panthera leo persica — Asiatic Lion
Panthera leo roosevelti — African lion (Abyssinia)
Panthera leo senegalensis — African lion, Senegal lion (West Africa)
Panthera leo somaliensis — African lion (Somalia)
Panthera leo verneyi — African lion (Kalahari)
Sources: Time (August 23, 2004), The Noble Cat by Howard Loxton, Barbary Lions.com
If you are not sure of some of the terminology used on this site,
click here for an excellent glossary at Lion Crusher.com.
Copyright: All elements on this website are copyright. More information.
You may not use anything from this website without contacting me for permission.
Sponsored Links
Website Design by