Comparative
view of the human and lion frames, c1860
The male lion, easily
recognized by his mane, can weigh between 150-225 kg (330-500 lb), but usually
most males average around 186 kg (410 lb) and females range from 120-150 kg
(260-330 lb)[4], and average around 125 kg (275 lb). Head
and body length is 170 to 250 cm (5'7" to 8'2") in males and 140 to
175 cm (4'7" to 5'9") in females; shoulder height is about 123 cm
(4') in males and 100 cm (3'3") in females. The tail length is 70 to 100
cm (2'3" to 3'3").[5] The tail ends in a hairy
tuft. The tuft conceals a spine, approximately 5 mm long, formed of the
final sections of tail bone fused together. The lion is the only felid to have
tuffed tail and the function of the tuft and spine are unknown.[6]
In the wild, lions live for around 10–14 years, while in captivity they can
live over 20 years.
The coloration varies from
light buff to yellowish, reddish or dark ochraceous brown. The colour of the
manes varies from blond to black. The underparts are generally brighter. The
tail tuft is black.
Thermographic
image of a lion in wintertime
In the past, scientists
believed that the "distinct" subspecific status of some subspecies
could be justified by their external morphology, like the size of their mane. This
morphology was used to identify them, like the Barbary lion and Cape Lion. However,
now it is known that various extrinsic factors influence the colour and size of
a lion's mane, like the ambient temperature.[7] The
cooler ambient temperature in European and North American zoos, for example,
can result in a heavy mane. Therefore, the heavy mane is an inappropriate
marker for identifying subspecies.[8][9]
Maneless lions have been
reported in Senegal and Tsavo-National Park. As well as having an inherited
component, the presence, absence and degree of mane is also associated with
sexual maturity and testosterone production. Castrated lions have minimal manes.
The original male white lion from Timbavati was also maneless. Manelessness is
also found in inbred lion populations; inbreeding also results in poor
fertility. A heavy mane may provide an indicator of a lion's genetic and
physical health. It may also afford him some protection in fights. In some
animal species, females show a preference for males with better outward
displays of fertility and vigour. It is possible that lionesses more actively
solicit mating with heavily maned lions in prides led by a coalition of 2 or 3
males, though there seem to be no published studies.
The oldest fossil record of
cat, which strongly resembles a lion, is known from Laetoli in Tanzania and is
perhaps 3.5 million years old. Some scientists identify the material as Panthera
leo. However, these records are not well-substantiated, and all that can be
said is that they pertain to a Panthera-like felid. The oldest confirmed
records of Panthera leo in Africa are about 2 Ma younger.[10]
700,000 years ago, Panthera
leo appeared in Europe for the first time with the subspecies Panthera
leo fossilis at Isernia in Italy. From this lion derived the later Cave
lion (Panthera leo spelea), which appeared about 300,000 years ago. During
the upper Pleistocene the lion spread to North and South America, and developed
into Panthera leo atrox, the American lion.[11]
Lions were common in
northern Eurasia and America during the upper Pleistocene, but died out there
at the end of the last glaciation, about 10,000 years ago.
Asiatic
Lion Panthera leo persica, name MOTI, born in Helsinki Zoo (Finland)
October 1994, arrived Bristol Zoo (England) January 1996. The Gir Forest in India
is the natural home of the Asiatic lion, but this animal was born in captivity.
Male lion
showing his teeth to the crowds prior to feeding time at the Melbourne Zoo
The major differences
between lion subspecies are location, mane appearance, size and distribution. However,
some of the forms listed below are debatable. Genetic evidence suggests that
all modern lions derived from one common ancestor only circa 55,000 years ago. Mitochondrial
variation in recent African lions is modest, which suggests that all
sub-Saharan lions could be considered a single subspecies, possibly divided in
two main-clades – one to the west of the Great Rift Valley and the other to the
east. For example, lions from Tsavo (East Kenya) differ genetically hardly from
lions in Transvaal (South Africa), but differ considerable from those in the Aberdare
Range in Western Kenya.[12] [13]
Most scientists today
recognise subspecies (not all named here are considered valid by all
scientists).[14]
Besides these subspecies
there are also some prehistoric ones. [15]
1. The Marozi, a spotted lion, is
sometimes believed to be a distinct subspecies (Panthera leo maculatus),
but may be an adult lion that has retained its juvenile spotted pattern. If it
was a subspecies in its own right, rather than a small number of aberrantly
colored individuals, it has been extinct since 1931. A less likely identity is
a natural leopard/lion hybrid commonly known as a leopon.