Lion

For other uses, see Lion (disambiguation).
Binomial name
Panthera leo
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae. It is the largest and most powerful living felid with the exception of the tiger, and the liger. The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, may weigh up to 250 kg (550 lb) Females are much smaller, weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb). In the wild lions live for around 10–14 years, while in captivity they can live over 20. Lions are predatory carnivores who live in family groups, called prides. The family consists of related females, their cubs of both sexes, and one or more unrelated males who mate with the adult females. Although it was once thought that females did most of the hunting in the pride, it is now known that males contribute much more to hunting than the amount for which they had been previously given credit. Both males and females will defend the pride against outside intruders. Typically, males will not tolerate outside males, and females will not tolerate outside females. Males are expelled from the pride or leave on their own when they reach maturity. When or if a male coalition takes over a pride and ousts the previous coalition, the conquerors often kill any cubs even if they did father them.

The last remnant of the Asiatic Lion (subspecies Panthera leo persica), which in historical times ranged from Turkey to India through Iran (Persia), lives in the Gir Forest of northwestern India. About 300 lions live in a 1412 km² (558 square miles) sanctuary in the state of Gujarat.

Lions had become extinct in Greece, their last European outpost, by 100 AD. Other extinct subspecies are the Cape Lion, the European Cave Lion (subspecies Panthera leo spelaea) which coexisted with humans throughout the last Ice Age, and the American lion (subspecies Panthera leo atrox), a close relative of the European cave lion (not to be confused with the mountain lion or puma).

Lions are recurring symbols in the coat of arms of royalty and chivalry, particularly in the UK, where the lion is also a national symbol of the British people. Lions appear in the art of China, even though lions have never lived in China. No animal has been given more attention in art and literature. C.A.W. Guggisberg, in his book Simba, says the lion is referred to 130 times in the Bible. The lion can be found in stone age cave paintings.

Although they are not often heard of due to their rarity, white lions do exist, in Timbavati, South Africa. There is a recessive gene in white lions that gives them their unusual color (also causing white tigers, many white tigers with this gene are bred for zoos and animal shows). A white lion has a disadvantage when it comes to hunting; their white color can give away their hiding place.


Lion Subspecies

The main differences between lion subspecies are location, size and mane appearance, however some of the forms listed below are debatable. Genetic evidence suggests that all modern lions derived from one common ancestor only ca. 55,000 years ago, therefore most sub-saharan lions could be considered a single subspecies. Notable exceptions would be the cape lion (P. l. melanochaita) and the kalahari lion (P. l. Verneyi).

Asiatic Lioness Panthera leo persica, name MOTI, born in Helsinki Zoo (Finland) October 1994, arrived Bristol Zoo (England) January 1996

Attacks on humans

While a hungry lion will probably attack a human that passes near, some (usually male) lions seem to seek out human prey. Some of the more publicized cases include the Tsavo man-eaters and the Mfuwe man-eater. In both cases the hunters who slew the lions wrote books detailing the lions' "careers" as man-eaters. In folklore, man-eating lions are sometimes considered demons.

The Mfuwe and Tsavo incidents did bear some similarities. The lions in both the incidents were all larger than normal, lacked manes and seemed to suffer from tooth decay. Some have speculated that they might belong to an unclassified species of lion, or that they may have been sick and couldn't have easily caught prey.

There have also been recorded attacks on humans by lions in captivity.

Cross-breeding with tigers

Lions have also been known to breed with their close counterparts, tigers (most often Amur), while in captivity to create interesting mixes. These two new breeds are called ligers and tigons.

The liger originates from mating a male lion and a tigress. Because the lion passes on a growth-promoting gene, but the corresponding growth-inhibiting gene from the female lion is not present, ligers are larger than either parent. It is said that ligers do not stop growing and will grow constantly through their lifespan, until their bodies cannot sustain their huge size any longer, reaching up to half a tonne. Ligers share some qualities of both their parents (spots and stripes) however they enjoy swimming, a purely tiger activity, and they are always a sandy colour like the lion. Male ligers are sterile, but female ligers are often fertile.

The tigon is a cross between the lioness and the male tiger. Because the male tiger does not pass on a growth-promoting gene and the lioness passes on a growth inhibiting gene, tigons are often relatively small, only weighing up to 150 kilograms (350 lb), which is about 20% smaller than lions. They can best be described as "housecat-like" in appearance, although with round ears. Like male ligers, male tigons are sterile, and they all have both spots and stripes, with yellow eyes. Tigons are not as common as ligers because they are not as visually impressive, thus they do not draw as much attention from audiences. Tigons are also more difficult to produce as male tigers are less attracted to lionesses because of their smaller size and are thought to have difficulty with recognizing lioness breeding cues.

Female ligers and female tigons are fertile and can produce offspring if mated to either a pure-bred lion or a pure-bred tiger.

Monumental Lion guarding Britannia Bridge, Wales


Morphology of the lion skull

View 3D animations of juvenile and adult lion skulls -- both inside and out -- at Digimorph.org


This page about Lion includes information from a Wikipedia article.
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Images of Lion

View 3D animations of juvenile and adult lion skulls -- both inside and out -- at Digimorph.org. Both methods can preserve a realistic three-dimensional portrait.
. Of masks that supply breathable air, some also cover the eyes (full-face); and some only cover the mouth and nose, and the wearer must also wear goggles. Female ligers and female tigons are fertile and can produce offspring if mated to either a pure-bred lion or a pure-bred tiger. Many masks have both functions.
This category merges into the categories of goggles and protective helmets and visors.
Here are included:. Tigons are also more difficult to produce as male tigers are less attracted to lionesses because of their smaller size and are thought to have difficulty with recognizing lioness breeding cues. Protective masks have these functions:.

Tigons are not as common as ligers because they are not as visually impressive, thus they do not draw as much attention from audiences. In some cultures it is also believed that the wearing of a mask will allow the wearer to take on the attributes of that mask's representation; i.e., a leopard-mask will induce the wearer to become leopard-like. Like male ligers, male tigons are sterile, and they all have both spots and stripes, with yellow eyes. *In ritual, social and religious functions, where participants wear them to represent spiritual or legendary figures. They can best be described as "housecat-like" in appearance, although with round ears. . Because the male tiger does not pass on a growth-promoting gene and the lioness passes on a growth inhibiting gene, tigons are often relatively small, only weighing up to 150 kilograms (350 lb), which is about 20% smaller than lions. The 5000-year-old Mask of Warka is believed to be the oldest surviving mask.

The tigon is a cross between the lioness and the male tiger. Possible ancestors are Latin (not classical) mascus, masca = "ghost", and Arabic maskharah = "jester", "man in masquerade". Male ligers are sterile, but female ligers are often fertile. The word "mask" came via French masque and either Italian maschera or Spanish máscara. Ligers share some qualities of both their parents (spots and stripes) however they enjoy swimming, a purely tiger activity, and they are always a sandy colour like the lion. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. It is said that ligers do not stop growing and will grow constantly through their lifespan, until their bodies cannot sustain their huge size any longer, reaching up to half a tonne. A mask is a piece of material or kit worn on the face.

Because the lion passes on a growth-promoting gene, but the corresponding growth-inhibiting gene from the female lion is not present, ligers are larger than either parent. The Noh Mask Effect: A Facial Expression Illusion. The liger originates from mating a male lion and a tigress. International Mask and Carnival Museum of Binche. These two new breeds are called ligers and tigons. The Secret of Masks. Lions have also been known to breed with their close counterparts, tigers (most often Amur), while in captivity to create interesting mixes. A facial mask (or facial in short) is a temporary mask, not solid, used in cosmetics or therapy for skin treatment.

There have also been recorded attacks on humans by lions in captivity. Death masks were very popular in the Western World during the 18th and 19th century. Some have speculated that they might belong to an unclassified species of lion, or that they may have been sick and couldn't have easily caught prey. A "death mask" is the same but taken from the face of a recently dead model. The lions in both the incidents were all larger than normal, lacked manes and seemed to suffer from tooth decay. A "life mask" is a plaster cast of a face, used as a model for making a painting or sculpture.

    . The Mfuwe and Tsavo incidents did bear some similarities. particularly uncomfortable types, such as an iron mask, are fit as devices for torture or corporal punishment.

    In folklore, man-eating lions are sometimes considered demons. a 'shameful' mask (Schandmaske in German) is devised for public humiliation; a popular reduced form are donkey ears for a bad ('dumb') pupil or student. In both cases the hunters who slew the lions wrote books detailing the lions' "careers" as man-eaters. The faceplates of spacesuit helmets. Some of the more publicized cases include the Tsavo man-eaters and the Mfuwe man-eater. Welder's masks. While a hungry lion will probably attack a human that passes near, some (usually male) lions seem to seek out human prey. Ski masks.

    Verneyi). Sport masks such as fencing masks or ice hockey and American football goalkeeper's masks. l. CPR masks used in Cardiopulminary Resuscitation. melanochaita) and the kalahari lion (P. Anaesthetic masks used in surgery in hospitals. l. Oxygen masks used as part of medical oxygen resuscitation kit.

    Notable exceptions would be the cape lion (P. Oxygen masks worn by high-altitude pilots. 55,000 years ago, therefore most sub-saharan lions could be considered a single subspecies. See this link and this link for examples. Genetic evidence suggests that all modern lions derived from one common ancestor only ca. These are usually fullface. The main differences between lion subspecies are location, size and mane appearance, however some of the forms listed below are debatable. Breathing masks connected to some underwater breathing sets.

    . These are usually fullface.
    . Breathing masks connected to some industrial breathing sets. A white lion has a disadvantage when it comes to hunting; their white color can give away their hiding place. The familiar eyes-and-nose diving mask. There is a recessive gene in white lions that gives them their unusual color (also causing white tigers, many white tigers with this gene are bred for zoos and animal shows). Gas masks.

    Although they are not often heard of due to their rarity, white lions do exist, in Timbavati, South Africa. Surgical masks. The lion can be found in stone age cave paintings. Filter masks. Guggisberg, in his book Simba, says the lion is referred to 130 times in the Bible. A cloth tied over the mouth and nose as a dust filter. C.A.W. Protecting the face against flying objects or dangerous environments, while allowing vision.

    No animal has been given more attention in art and literature. Providing a supply of breathable air or other oxygen-containing gas. Lions appear in the art of China, even though lions have never lived in China. Participants in a black bloc at protests often wear masks, usually bandannas, to avoid recognition, and to protect against any riot control agents that may potentially be used. Lions are recurring symbols in the coat of arms of royalty and chivalry, particularly in the UK, where the lion is also a national symbol of the British people. Occasionally a witness for the prosecution appears in court in a mask to avoid being recognized by associates of the accused. Other extinct subspecies are the Cape Lion, the European Cave Lion (subspecies Panthera leo spelaea) which coexisted with humans throughout the last Ice Age, and the American lion (subspecies Panthera leo atrox), a close relative of the European cave lion (not to be confused with the mountain lion or puma). In many jurisidictions, it is an additional criminal offense to wear a mask while committing a crime; it is also often a crime to wear a mask at public assemblies and demonstrations.

    Lions had become extinct in Greece, their last European outpost, by 100 AD. Criminals often use masks to avoid identification when they commit crimes. About 300 lions live in a 1412 km² (558 square miles) sanctuary in the state of Gujarat. Latex masks are used in cinema as part of elaborate character makeup. The last remnant of the Asiatic Lion (subspecies Panthera leo persica), which in historical times ranged from Turkey to India through Iran (Persia), lives in the Gir Forest of northwestern India. As part of the costume of a particular personage like Harlequin or a modern comic book superhero. When or if a male coalition takes over a pride and ousts the previous coalition, the conquerors often kill any cubs even if they did father them. As a part of carnival celebrations in some parts of the world; Venice is most famous for this.

    Males are expelled from the pride or leave on their own when they reach maturity. To provide an aura of mystery with professional wrestlers, particularly in Mexico, as well as entertainers like the Unknown Comic, who always wore a paper bag over his head. Typically, males will not tolerate outside males, and females will not tolerate outside females. "theatrical mask". Both males and females will defend the pride against outside intruders. The Ancient Greek word prosōpon = "face" originally meant "in front of the face", i.e. Although it was once thought that females did most of the hunting in the pride, it is now known that males contribute much more to hunting than the amount for which they had been previously given credit. The English word "person" came from a Latin word for a theatrical mask, persona, which itself came from the Etruscan word for a mask, phersu.

    The family consists of related females, their cubs of both sexes, and one or more unrelated males who mate with the adult females. Some of the masks used in the Noh theatre display illusory facial expressions. Lions are predatory carnivores who live in family groups, called prides. Masks are also a defining characteristic of the Noh theatre of Japan. In the wild lions live for around 10–14 years, while in captivity they can live over 20. Use of masks in the dramatic plays in Ancient Greece evolved from the ceremonial purpose. The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, may weigh up to 250 kg (550 lb) Females are much smaller, weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb). In theatre plays.

    It is the largest and most powerful living felid with the exception of the tiger, and the liger. All African masks fall into one of four categories: the ancestor spirit, the mythological hero, the combination of ancestor and hero, and the animal spirit. The Lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae. In Africa, especially West Africa, masks also play an important role in traditional ceremonies and theatrical dances. Distinct behaviour and anatomy has been observed in this subspecies. A mask used in such a festival is known as having been "danzada" or "danced." These hand-made, painted masks are typically made from wood and may use rope, animal horns or teeth, or rubber from tire inner tubes. Panthera leo verneyi - Kalahari lion. The masks and costumes from these festivals have become collectors items.

    Panthera leo somaliensis - Somali lion. These festivals frequently include parades and street theatre that act out a story. Panthera leo senegalensis - West African lion, or Senegal lion. All Christian saints have a specific day in the year dedicated to them, and each town typically has a festival on that day, involving a combination of Christian and indigenous tradition. Panthera leo roosevelti - Abyssinian lion. In Mexico and Central America, most towns have both a Christian name and an indigenous name, for example, Santiago Tianguistenco, or Santa Maria Axixitla. Once widespread from Turkey, across the Middle East, to India and Bangladesh, but large prides and daylight activity made it easier to poach than tigers or leopards.

    200 currently exist in the Gir Forest of India. Panthera leo persica - Asiatic lion. Panthera leo nubica - East African lion. Panthera leo melanochaita - Cape lion; extinct in 1860.

    Panthera leo massaicus - Massai lion. [1]. Roman notables, including Sulla, Pompey, and Julius Caesar, often ordered the mass slaughter of Barbary lions - up to 400 at a time. Barbary lions were kept by Roman emperors, who ordered the capture of literally thousands of individuals to fight in the gladiator arenas.

    The last wild Barbary lion was killed in Morocco in 1922 due to excessive hunting. This was the largest of the lion subspecies, which ranged from Morocco to Egypt. Panthera leo leo - Barbary lion; extinct in the wild. Panthera leo krugeri - South African lion.

    Panthera leo hollisteri - Congo lion. From France to the Balkans. Extinct around 100AD due to hunting and competition from feral dogs. Panthera leo europaea - European lion.

    Panthera leo bleyenberghi - Katanga lion. Panthera leo azandica - North East Congo lion.