Content
- How many lions are there in the world?
- Lion Characteristics
- Types of lions and their characteristics
- Katanga lion
- Congo lion
- South African Lion
- Atlas Lion
- lion nubian
- Asian lion
- Senegalese lion
- Types of endangered lions
- Types of extinct lions
- black lion
- cave lion
- Primitive cave lion
- american lion
- Other extinct lion subspecies
The lion is at the top of the food chain. Its imposing size, the strength of its claws, jaws and its roar make it a difficult adversary to overcome in the ecosystems it inhabits. Despite this, there are some extinct lions and endangered lion species.
That's right, there were and still are several species of this huge feline. With that in mind, in this PeritoAnimal article, let's talk about types of lions and share a complete list with the characteristics of each one of them. Keep reading!
How many lions are there in the world?
Currently, it only survives a kind of lion (panthera leo), from which they derive 7 subspecies, although there have been many more. Some species went extinct thousands of years ago, while others disappeared because of humans. Furthermore, all surviving lion species are in danger of extinction.
This number corresponds to lions belonging to the cat family but did you know that there are also types of sea lionss? It is true! In the case of this marine animal, there are 7 gnumbers with several species.
Now that you know how many types of lions there are in the world, read on to get to know each one!
Lion Characteristics
To begin this complete list of characteristics, let's talk about the lion as a species. panthera leo it is the species from which the different current lion subspecies descend. In fact, the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes only this species and defines panthera leopersica and panthera leo leo as the only subspecies. However, other taxonomic lists, such as ITIS, identify more varieties.
The lion's habitat is the grasslands, savannas and jungles of Africa. They live in herds and are usually made up of one or two male lions and several females.A lion lives an average of 7 years and is considered the "king of the jungle" due to its fury and great hunting ability. In this regard, it should be noted that this is a carnivorous animal, which can feed on antelopes, zebras, etc., and that the females are in charge of hunting and keeping the herd well fed.
Another of the most notable features of lions is their accentuated dimorphismsexual. Males tend to be larger than females and have an abundant mane, while females have all their short, even coat.
Types of lions and their characteristics
At lion subspecies that currently exist and are recognized by the various official organizations are as follows:
- Katanga's Lion;
- Lion-of-the-Congo;
- South African Lion;
- Atlas Lion;
- Nubian Lion;
- Asian Lion;
- Lion-of-senegal.
Next, we'll see the characteristics and fun facts about each lion.
Katanga lion
Among the types of lions and their characteristics, the Katanga or Angola lion (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) is distributed throughout Southern Africa. It is a large subspecies, capable of reaching up to 280 kilos, in the case of males, although the average is 200 kilos.
As for its appearance, the characteristic sandy color of the coat and a thick and imposing mane stand out. The outermost area of the mane may appear in a combination of light brown with coffee.
Congo lion
The Congo Lion (Panthera leo azandica), also called northwestern-congo lion, is a subspecies distributed in the plains of the African continent, especially in Uganda and the Republic of Congo.
It is characterized by measuring between 2 meters and 50 centimeters and 2 meters 80 centimeters. In addition, it weighs between 150 and 190 kilos. Males have a characteristic mane, although less leafy than in other lion varieties. the coat color ranges from classic sand to dark brown.
South African Lion
O panthera leo krugeri, called lion-transvaal or south african lion, is a variety from the southern part of Africa, sister of the Katanga lion, although it surpasses it in size. Males of this species reach up to 2 meters and 50 centimeters in length.
Although they have the typical sand color in the coat, it is from this variety that the rare White Lion. The white lion is a mutation of krugeri, so that the white coat appears as a result of a recessive gene. Despite the beauty, they they are vulnerable in nature because it is difficult to camouflage their light color in the savannah.
Atlas Lion
Also called the Barbary Lion (panthera leo leo), is a subspecies that became extinct in nature circa 1942. It is suspected that there are several specimens in zoos, such as those found in Rabat (Morocco). However, breeding with other lion subspecies complicates the task of creating pure Atlas lion individuals.
According to records, this subspecies would be one of the largest, characterized by a large and lush mane. This lion lived both in the savannas and in the African jungles.
lion nubian
Another of the types of lions that still exist is the Panthera leo nubica, a variety that inhabits East Africa. Its body weight is in the average of the species, that is, between 150 and 200 kilos. The male of this subspecies has an abundant and darker mane on the outside.
A curious fact about this species is that one of the cats used for the famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) logo was a Nubian lion.
Asian lion
The Asian Lion (panthera leo persica) is native to Africa, although today it can be found in zoos and reserves around the world.
this variety is smaller than other types of lions and it has a lighter coat, with a reddish mane in males. Currently, it is among the types of lions at risk of extinction due to reduced habitat, poaching and rivalry with the inhabitants of the areas where they live.
Senegalese lion
The last on the list of lion types and their characteristics is the Panthera leo senegalensis or Senegal lion. Lives in herds and measures about 3 meters, including its tail.
This subspecies is in danger of extinction due to poaching and the expansion of cities, which reduces the amount of prey available.
Types of endangered lions
All types of lions are in danger of extinction, some in a more critical condition than others. Over the years, populations in the wild have dwindled and even captive births are scarce.
Between the reasons that threaten the lion and its subspecies, are as follows:
- Expansion of commercial and residential areas, which reduce the lion's habitat;
- Reduction of species that nourish the lion;
- Introduction of other species or rivalry with other predators for prey;
- poaching;
- Expansion of agriculture and livestock;
- War and military conflicts in the habitat of lions.
This complete list of features and fun facts about lions also includes missing species. Next, meet the extinct lions.
Types of extinct lions
Unfortunately, several species of lions ceased to exist for various reasons, some due to human action. These are the types of extinct lions:
- Black Lion;
- Cave lion;
- Primitive Cave Lion;
- American Lion.
black lion
O Panthera leo melanochaitus, called black or cape lion, is subspecies declared extinct in 1860. Before disappearing, it inhabited the southwest of South Africa. Although there is little information about him, he weighed between 150 and 250 kilos and lived alone, unlike the common herds of lions.
Males had a black mane, hence the name. They disappeared from the African continent during British colonization, when they became a threat by frequently attacking human populations. Despite their extinction, lions in the Kalahari region are considered to have a genetic makeup from this species.
cave lion
O Panthera leo spelaea it was a species found in the Iberian Peninsula, England and Alaska. Inhabited the Earth during the Pleistocene, 2.60 million years ago. There is evidence of its existence thanks to cave paintings from 30,000 years ago and fossils found.
In general, its characteristics were similar to those of the current lion: between 2.5 and 3 meters in length and 200 kilos in weight.
Primitive cave lion
The primitive cave lion (Panthera leo fossilis) is one of the extinct types of lions, and became extinct in the Pleistocene. It reached up to 2.50 meters in length and inhabited the Europe. It is one of the oldest extinct feline fossils ever found.
american lion
O Panthera leo atrox it was distributed throughout North America, where it is possible that it arrived through the Bering Strait before continental drift occurred. Maybe it was the greatest species of lion in history, it is believed that it measured almost 4 meters and weighed between 350 and 400 kilos.
According to the cave paintings found, this subspecies did not have a mane or had a very sparse mane. Disappeared during the mass extinction of megafauna that occurred in the Quaternary.
Other extinct lion subspecies
These are other varieties of lions that are also extinct:
- Beringian Lion (Panthera leo vereshchagini);
- Sri Lanka's Lion (Panthera leo sinhaleyus);
- European Lion (panthera leo european).
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of Lions: Names and Characteristics, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.