The african lion panthera leo leo is currently the nominate subspecies of lion, native to subsaharan africa. All lions can be divided into asian and african, while the dimensions of individuals from the latter group are more impressive. The remaining subspecies of lion, along with their scientific names and habitat, are the following. On march 1, 2011, we received a petition dated the same day from the international fund for animal welfare, the humane society of the united states, humane society international, the born free foundationborn free usa, defenders of wildlife, and the fund for animals requesting that the african lion subspecies be listed as endangered under the act. For the first time, african lions were able to tame ancient people in the eighth century bc.
Mar 09, 2018 the barbary lion also known as the atlas lion or nubian lion was long considered one of the biggest lion subspecies, or even the largest of lions and african felidae. Lion, large, powerfully built cat that is second in size only to the tiger. Lions are a large cat species belonging to the felidae family. In some ways it tries to mimic the traditional biography with a few chapters into his background. West african lion, 97869312573, 69312574,97869312573. The subspecies was first described in 1826 by johanna n meyer austrian and named it felis leo persicus. The american lion panthera leo atrox or panthera atrox also known as the north american lion or american cave lion is an extinct feline of the family felidae, endemic to north america during the pleistocene epoch 1. Kruger national park is the home of the transvaal lion. This includes the subspecies massaicus, somaliensis, roosevelti, and hollisteri. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. The african lion, according to the international convention, was entered into the red book as an endangered species. Although the lion has been the dominant large carnivore in africa and. They are found in southwestern africa in angola, namibia, western zimbabwe and zambia, zaire, and northern botswana. The barbary lion used to be found in morocco and egypt.
The photos and text in this book explains for example what differentiates a swaynes hartebeest from a. This book pages 124 speaks of 3 varieties of lions, the bengal lion asiatic lion, the cape lion, and the barbary lion, and it mentions that the bengal lion had a more extensive mane than the cape lion, though the cape lion was bigger than both the asiatic lion and other african lions, besides that the barbary lion was bigger than the asiatic lion. With some males exceeding 250 kg 550 lb in weight, it is the secondlargest living cat after the tiger. But the species has disappeared from 94 percent of its historic range and can only be found today in parts of subsaharan africa.
The african lion was first described in 1758 by carl linnaeus in his book systema naturae. Lions panthera leo are believed to have evolved in africa, before thousands of years. Oct 03, 2014 east african masai lion southwest african katanga lion southeast african lion transvaal lion some of the subspecies like the cape lion and the barbary lion are already extinct and some other subspecies like asiatic and west african lion are on the list of endangered lions. They are believed to be a very large lion subspecies. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Following linnaeuss description, several lion zoological specimens from north africa were described and proposed as subspecies in the 19th century. The barbary lion is one of the most enigmatic of all large predators, both due to its impressive appearance and uncertainty over its fate. This sort of reminds me of the last book i read on john quincy adams postpresidency. African lions are larger cats, with thicker and longer manes and shorter tail tufts than asian lions. However, today two subspecies of lions are recognized. What are the differences between asiatic lions and african. The commonly used term african lion collectively denotes the several subspecies found in africa.
Yet few realize the species has undergone catastrophic declines, from as many as 200,000 wild lions in africa a century ago to about 20,000 today. In size and gen eral appearance, asian and african subspecies are similar. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your first box. Aug 19, 2019 experts have long recognized two subspecies of lion, panthera leo leo the african lion and panthera leo persica the asiatic lion. These lions are like regular lions, except for the color of their coat. The asiatic lion is a subspecies of lions that split from the african lions about 100,000 years ago and prowled across asia and the middle east. Panthera leo azandica north east congo lion an african lioness panthera leo krugeri. Apr 25, 2017 what different types of lions are there. African lions finally gain endangered species act protection the new rules will specifically address trophy hunts, like the one that killed the famous cecil the lion.
In this video i describe all the formal lion subspecies of world. Federal register endangered and threatened wildlife and. Historically, lions could be found across the vast majority of africa, but their current range has been restricted to a smattering of locations in central and southern africa. You will find the katanga lion living in the areas of namibia and zimbabwe. The katanga lion is also known as the southwest african lion.
It seems that no animal has inspired the imagination of man more than the lion panthera leo pronounciation. In 2017, a new ranking was revealed that organized these lions into two subspecies of panthera leo melanochaita and panthera leo leo. At least three of thesepanthera leo europaea, panthera leo tartarica and panthera leo fossilisare referred to collectively as the european lion. There are two subspeciesthe african lion and the asian lion. Lion prides and hunting lions are the only cats that live. On october 29, 2014 79 fr 64472 we published in the federal register a finding that listing the african lion subspecies panthera leo leo as a threatened species was warranted and proposed to list the subspecies as a threatened species under the act. The lion is closely related to west african and north african lions more than they are to southern and east african lions. Taxonomists continue to explore methods for determining the identification of subspecies which is critical for the accuracy of this studbook. The author of the phenomenally successful capitalist nigger offers a new collection of his speeches, articles and other writings over the last fifteen years.
Panthera leo leo central and west africa and india. However, more recent studies indicate that lions from asia and west and central africa are more closely related to each other than to lions from eastern and. Felis leo barbaricus described by the austrian zoologist johann nepomuk meyer in 1826 was a lion skin from the barbary coast. The very descriptive book details extraordinary strength, skills permitting species survival and interesting revelations about the male lions lush mane and why. Between 2008 and 2016, iucn red list assessors used only two subspecific names. Afterwards the lion was divided into two subspecies.
Nearly all wild lions live in subsaharan africa, but one small population of the asiatic lion panthera leo persica, also called the indian lion, asian lion, persian lion, arabian lion, or. Asian lions and african lions are subspecies of the. At 2011, based on genetic analysis there are two subspecies of lion. Although leopards are adaptable and occupy diverse habitats at all altitudes, they are becoming critically endangered in parts of their range that are under extreme. Lion subspecies listed as endangered, threatened african. May 25, 2012 lion taxonomy is still not clear cut, it seems.
Wild lions currently exist in subsaharan africa and in india where an endangered. The african lion is the second largest species of extant cat, after the tiger. The type specimen originated at the cape of good hope and was described in 1842. Score or photo african lion african leopard small cats african elephant african rhinoceros african buffalo eland bongo kudu greater or lesser score or photo nyala mtn. The plan wis oreeginally stairtit in 1982 for the asiatic lion, but wis suspendit whan it wis foond that maist asiatic lions in north american zoos war nae genetically pure, haein been hybridised wi african lions. These iconic animals have powerful bodiesin the cat family, theyre second in size only to tigers.
In the quaternary period the lion was distributed throughout africa except in the dense tropical forests of the western part, in southern europe, and in southwest asia. The african lion, on the other hand, is spread out across africa, with the most numbers concentrated around the east african region. Wild lions currently exist in different subspecies in subsaharan africa and in india, while other types of lions have disappeared from north and south africa as well as from southwest asia in historic times. This is the book that he wanted to purchase, but could not.
Prey animal spotted hyaena african lion male lion female lion. It ranges from ethiopia to the areas of kenya and tanzania. Roar of the african lion by chika onyeani goodreads. It isnt known how many of them remain in the wild today. About 10,000 years ago, lions were also found in eurasia as well as america. The african lion panthera leo is currently the nominate subspecies of lion, native to subsaharan africa. Twentyone years ago he set out to buy a book that adequately dealt with the subspecies of african game. Buy african game species and subspecies 9780620746694. It had a thick black mane, sometimes, a black fringe, and blackcolored ear tips. The leopard panthera pardus has a beautiful rosette patterned coat and is the most widespread of all the big cats. In 1951, john ellerman and terence morrisonscott recognized only two lion subspecies in the palearctic realm, namely the african lion panthera leo leo and the asiatic lion p. African lions have been admired throughout history for as symbols of courage and strength. The lion panthera leo is a species in the family felidae. It is an adoptable animal in all three zoo tycoon installments.
The african lion yakbar if you love lions, this book will help not only understand these wonderful animals, but also expand the readers vocabulary following the abc sequence of the book. Lion panthera leo global african lion panthera leo leo africa however the last felidae taxonomy revision in 2017 proposed that the asian subpopulation is closely related to the lions in the northern range of africa, and the southern and eastern african lions are a distinct subspecies. Panthera leo leo 2 asiatic lion also known as indian lion persian lion panthera leo leo formerly. John meachhams book american lion covers the years when andrew jackson was the president of the united states. African lion panthera leo leo linnaeus, 1758 asiatic lion panthera leo persica meyer, 1826 taxonomy has developed significantly since the classification of the species first began. Fish and wildlife service usfws announced on monday it would list two lion subspecies under the endangered species act esa, a move welcomed by the african wildlife foundation. The plan was originally started in 1982 for the asiatic lion, but was suspended when it was found that most asiatic lions in north american zoos were not genetically pure, having been hybridised with african lions. An asiatic lion has a longitudinal fold of skin along its belly that is lacking in african lions.
African lion, facts and photos national geographic. While it was once considered a subspecies of lion closely related to the eurasian cave lion. Panthera leo, the modern lion, included a bewildering array of subspecies in early historical times. The southeast african cheetah acinonyx jubatus jubatus is the nominate cheetah subspecies native to east and southern africa. The southwest african lion panthera leo bleyenberghi, also known as the katanga lion. Lions belong to genus panthera in the family felidae. The cape lion was the second largest and heaviest of the lion subspecies.
The lion panthera leo is the secondlargest living cat after the tiger. The african lion, dr chika onyeani, is back and roaring. Established in 1964, the iucn red list of threatened species has evolved to become the worlds most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Lions are most active at night and live in a variety of habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and. Currently, isis lists eight subspecies isis, 1995, whereas weigel 1959 lists eleven subspecies and helmut hemmer 1974 lists five subspecies. African lions have a number of subspecies separated by large, lion less expanses. Over the past 50 years, lion research has covered a wide range of. Meet the mighty king of the jungle, the african lion. The major differences between the two subspecies is asiatic lions are smaller on average, the males generally dont live in prides with females, and males have a darker mane. So when you head off on your african safari, read up about the various species and have a look at the photographs below to make sure you know which ones you will be seeing. All you need to know about the african lion atc africa travel co.
African lion description, habitat, image, diet, and. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. There are a few subspecies of the african lion, which you can explore below. They often referred to as the barbary lion, cape lion, congo lion, katanga lion, masai lion, transvaal lion and west african lion. With africas lion population expected to drop by half over the next couple of decades, the u. Panthera leo leo african lion iucn estimates between 20,00030,000 wild lions in africa today they are listed as vulnerable panthera leo persica asian lion approximately 350 lions in gir forest, western india they are listed as critically endangered age height weight.
The proverbial king of the beasts, the lion has been one of the bestknown wild animals since earliest times. Together, with his son devlin, this family business was the focal point of both their interest in african game. Pride composition differs between the two types of lions, too. Thus the lion lower classifications or lion subspecies at present are. The african lion plan stairtit in 1993, focusin especially on the sooth african subspecies, awbesit thare are difficulties in. The lion panthera leo is one of the big cats in the genus panthera and a member of the family felidae. Leopard panthera pardus classification wild cat family. A male lion with his tiny cub, connected by a unique bond of nature. This is among the largest subspecies of african lions and is found in namibia, angola, zaire, western zambia, western zimbabwe and northern botswana. Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles. In the 19th and 20th centuries, several lion type specimens were described and proposed as subspecies, with about a dozen recognised as valid taxa until 2017. The masai lion is also referred to as the east african lion. Panthera leo melanochaita southern and eastern africa.
They are one of the largest lions of all the lion species. Pdf conservation genetics of the african lion researchgate. Over the last 20 years, it is thought that the african lion population has reduced by about one third. Jun 23, 2009 the stud book will help establish a breeding programme, and could also settle a controversy over whether the barbary lion was a unique subspecies. However, recent studies suggest that lions from west and. The west african lion panthera leo senegalensis is a subspecies of the. Asiatic lions panthera leo persica are a subspecies of african lion, but only one very small population survives in indias gir forest. The asian lion panthera leo persica is a subspecies of the lion which survives today only in india and therefore it is also known as the indian lion. The african lion is a predatory, large mammal, a vivid representative of the panther genus from the subfamily of large cats. Lion king no chance of survival of the south african. The african lion plan started in 1993, focusing especially on the south african subspecies, although there are difficulties in. African lions once roamed most of africa and parts of asia and europe. There are eight sub species of lions and one among them is panthera leo krugeri, known as the southeast african lion. Difference between lion and tiger tiger vs lion comparison.
There is actually only one species the panthera leo, however, there are several subspecies of lions which you may not know about. Cape lion is an extinct subspecies of the african lion that inhabited in south africas natal and cape provinces which is at the southern tip of africa in the mid19th century. In roar of the african lion, dr onyeanis unblinking gaze and plain speaking are directed at many of the burning issues of the day. Historic vs present geographical distribution of lions. Despite its name, the species could also originally be found europe and asia.
African lion fact sheet david shepherd wildlife foundation. Previously, two subspecies of extant lion, panthera leo, traditionally recognized. Natures deadliest on free shipping on qualified orders. Characterised as fearsome, courageous and majestic, the lions strength and ferocity has earned it the title of king of the beasts in many cultures. The hunter who killed the lions wrote a book detailing the animals predatory behaviour. As one of the largest of the big cats, the lion is built to prey on animals many times its size, its. The southern african cheetah lives mainly in the lowland areas and deserts of the kalahari, the savannahs of okavango delta, and the grasslands of the transvaal region in south africa. How many species of lions are there african overland tours. These magnificent lions may be the last descendants of. As noted, conservation efforts have resulted in some growth in the numbers of these lions in recent years.
Lion king no chance of survival of the south african cape lion. Asian lions once ranged from the mediterranean to india, covering most of southwest asia where it was also known as the persian lion. Lions featured in numerous medieval books and art works jackson 2010. The african lion and asiatic lion are believed to have split apart about 100,000 years ago. The leopard occurs across both africa and asia, however in just a few decades has lost more than 30% of its range. Lion evolution and subspecies feline facts and information. The stud book will help establish a breeding programme, and could also settle a controversy over whether the barbary lion was a unique subspecies. You will find the tsavo lion living in the area of east africa. We also proposed a rule under section 4d of the act to provide conservation measures for. Unlike the asiatic lion, african lions form larger prides.
Historically up to eleven subspecies of lions have been described. Jan 03, 2018 difference between lion and tiger tiger vs lion comparison lion vs tiger, tiger vs lion difference difference between lion and tiger roar, what do lions and tigers have in common, how are lions. The african lion panthera leo, or simply lion is a large african felid. Only one subspecies allowed whitetailed deer of the world minimum requirements and eligible. African lion african leopard small cats african elephant african rhinoceros. The african lion natures deadliest and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The west african lion lives in the areas of nigeria and senegal. His passion for wildlife was fuelled from an early age and his time in the safari business only further stimulated this interest.
The uniquely social king of the jungle live science. In 2017, the current felidae taxonomy revision proposes that the asian subpopulation is closely related to the lions in the northern range of africa and the southern and eastern african lions. Hopefully these findings may aid conservation planning of these animals in order to prevent. Asian lions nested within diversity of african lions barnett et al. Together with devlin, he spent time in the rain forests of africa, in cameroon, the deserts of namibia.
1058 71 1174 1320 1399 323 1462 503 275 665 1274 336 1126 1347 1338 1491 624 464 504 1642 300 1575 1046 1580 1662 1514 461 87 99 1012 176 1194 268 1182 777 172 142 871 314 1407 66 161 1470 169