Endangered Species
The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), also known as the Indian lion, is a lion subspecies that exists as a single isolated population in India's Gujarat State. It is listed as Endangered by IUCN based on the small population size.[1] The lion population has steadily increased in Gir Forest National Park, more than doubling from a low of 180 individuals in 1974 to a level of 411 individuals consisting of 97 adult males, 162 adult females, 75 sub-adults, and 77 cubs as of April 2010.[3]
The Asiatic lion was first described by the Austrian zoologist Meyer under the trinomen Felis leo persicus.[4] It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard.[5] It formerly occurred in Persia, Mesopotamia, Baluchistan, from Sind in the west to Bengal in the east, and from Rampur and Rohilkund in the north to Nerbudda in the south. It differs from the African lion by less inflated auditory bullae, a larger tail tuft and a less developed mThe most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions, but rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.[7] Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Adult males weigh 160 to 190 kg (350 to 420 lb), while females weigh 110 to 120 kg (240 to 260 lb).[8] The height at the shoulders is about 3.5 ft (110 cm).[9] The record total length of a male Asiatic lion is 2.92 m (115 in) including the tail.[10]ane.[6]
Asiatic lions live in prides. Mean pride size, measured by the number of adult females, tends to be smaller than for African lions: most Gir prides contain just two adult females, with the largest having five.[16] Coalitions of males defend home ranges containing one or more groups of females, but unlike African lions, Gir males generally associate with their pride females only when mating or on a large kill. A lesser degree of sociality in the Gir lions may be a function of the smaller prey available
The Asiatic lion was first described by the Austrian zoologist Meyer under the trinomen Felis leo persicus.[4] It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard.[5] It formerly occurred in Persia, Mesopotamia, Baluchistan, from Sind in the west to Bengal in the east, and from Rampur and Rohilkund in the north to Nerbudda in the south. It differs from the African lion by less inflated auditory bullae, a larger tail tuft and a less developed mThe most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions, but rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.[7] Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Adult males weigh 160 to 190 kg (350 to 420 lb), while females weigh 110 to 120 kg (240 to 260 lb).[8] The height at the shoulders is about 3.5 ft (110 cm).[9] The record total length of a male Asiatic lion is 2.92 m (115 in) including the tail.[10]ane.[6]
Asiatic lions live in prides. Mean pride size, measured by the number of adult females, tends to be smaller than for African lions: most Gir prides contain just two adult females, with the largest having five.[16] Coalitions of males defend home ranges containing one or more groups of females, but unlike African lions, Gir males generally associate with their pride females only when mating or on a large kill. A lesser degree of sociality in the Gir lions may be a function of the smaller prey available