8 Different Species of Lions, With Pictures, Animal Sake

Belonging to the Panthera genus and Felidae family, lions are some of the most majestic animals on Earth. Scientists count only one lion species — but it splits into a whole family of subspecies, scattered from the grasslands of Africa to a single forest in India.

Belonging to the Panthera genus and Felidae family, lions are majestic animals. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) recognizes two sub-species of lions – the African and the Asiatic lions. This AnimalSake article has enlisted 8 different species of lions with pictures.

Did You Know? The roar of an adult male lion can be heard up to five miles away.

The genus Panthera includes lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. These are the only cats that can truly roar. Lions are rightly called ‘the king of the jungle’. Males roar to defend their territory, while females roar gently to call their cubs. Lions hunt at night and sleep during the day. They are the only cats that display sexual dimorphism — which means the males look different from the females. They are also the only cats that live in social groups called prides.

Two African lions resting close together, showing the social bond of a pride — Lions are the only cats that live in social groups, called prides — the rest of the cat family lives alone.

A typical pride has 2-3 males and 10-12 females. The females are all related to each other and never leave the pride. Asiatic lions are different — they are mostly solitary, and males only spend time with females when mating. The African lion is the tallest member of the Felidae family, and also the second largest.

Today, wild lions live only in sub-Saharan Africa. A very small group of Asiatic lions survives in the Gir Forest Reserve in Gujarat, India. The population of Asiatic lions had fallen to just 18 animals in 1893. Thanks to conservation efforts, it has now recovered to around 400. African lions were listed as Vulnerable in 2004. Their total population is estimated to be between 23,000 and 39,000. In West Africa, numbers have dropped to fewer than 1,500 — low enough to be considered regionally Endangered there.

Scientists have classified modern lions into 24 sub-species based on differences in size, coat thickness, coat color, and mane size. However, analysis of mitochondrial DNA suggests that all sub-Saharan lions (Panthera leo) could be considered a single sub-species.

Information About Lions

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: Panthera leo

Though there is only one species, lions are classified into different subspecies.

Types of Lions

About 10,000 years ago, lions also lived in Eurasia and America. Over time, some groups died out. Eight subspecies are now recognized. These include:

Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) resting in the Gir Forest

P. l. persica (Asiatic lion)

Also called the Indian lion or Persian lion, this subspecies lives in the Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat, India. It is slightly smaller than the African lion and has a less developed mane. Males weigh between 160 and 190 kg, while females weigh between 110 and 120 kg. It has less genetic variation than the African lion.

Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo) with a heavy dark mane

P. l. leo (Barbary lion)

Native to the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, it is also called the Atlas lion. It was once thought to be one of the biggest lion subspecies. Records and stuffed museum specimens show its length from head to tail varied between 7 feet 9 inches and 9 feet 2 inches. It is now considered extinct. The last known individuals were killed somewhere between the 1950s and 1960s.

West African lion (Panthera leo senegalensis) standing in dry grassland

P. l. senegalensis (West African lion)

Also known as the Senegal lion, it is native to West Africa. Its size is similar to lions from Central Africa, but smaller than those from Southern Africa. The total population is believed to be less than 1,000, making it one of the most endangered subspecies.

Northeast Congo or Uganda lion (Panthera leo azandica)

P. l. azandica (Northeast Congo Lion)

Native to Uganda and the DR Congo, it is also called the ‘Uganda lion’. It lives in the Kidepo Valley in Uganda and in the Murchison Falls National Parks in Central Africa. It was once common in the Congo River Basin, but surveys conducted in 2008 found no lions remaining there. This subspecies is classified as severely endangered.

East African or Masai lion (Panthera leo nubica) in the Masai Mara

P. l. nubica (East African or Masai lion)

Described as coming from ‘Nubia’, this East African subspecies has longer legs and less curved backs than other lions. They are generally between 8 and 10 feet in length and sport a variety of mane styles — some have large bushy tufts, others have manes that look combed backwards. Thankfully, this subspecies has not yet been classified as endangered. It is found in parts of Uganda, Kenya, and the Tanga Region.

Take the Lion Subspecies Quiz!

5 quick questions. How well do you know the different kinds of lion?

P. l. bleyenberghi (Southwest African or Katanga lion)

This subspecies is native to southwestern Africa and is found in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Zaire, and Angola. It is among the largest of all lion subspecies. Its name comes from the Katanga region in Zaire, where it is thought to have originated. Katanga lions have lighter manes than most other lions.

Southeast African or Transvaal lion (Panthera leo krugeri) with a full mane

P. l. krugeri (Southeast African or Transvaal lion)

Native to southeast Africa, it takes its name from the Transvaal region of South Africa. It grows a full, well-developed mane — sometimes dark black. Males weigh between 150 and 250 kg, while females weigh between 110 and 180 kg. It is found in the Kruger National Park and the Kalahari region.

P. l. melanochaita (Cape lion)

The Cape lion is completely extinct. It was thought to be the heaviest of all lions — reportedly weighing close to 500 pounds and measuring around 10 feet in length. It had a thick black mane, sometimes a black fringe around it, and black-colored ear tips. Research suggests it preyed on zebras, donkeys, buffaloes, and cattle. The ones known to attack people were reportedly old and weak.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many species of lion are there?

There is only one lion species, Panthera leo. It is divided into subspecies, older classifications recognize eight, grouped as African and Asiatic lions.

What is the difference between an African lion and an Asiatic lion?

The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller, has a less developed mane, and lives only in India's Gir Forest. African lions live in social prides; Asiatic lions are more solitary.

Which lion subspecies are extinct?

The Barbary lion of North Africa and the Cape lion of South Africa are both considered extinct in the wild.

Are white lions a separate species?

No. White lions belong to the same subspecies as the Transvaal lion. Their pale color comes from a rare recessive gene, not from being a different species.

Where do lions live today?

Wild lions live in sub-Saharan Africa, with one small population of Asiatic lions in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India.

Some Other Types

White lion

White lions belong to the same subspecies as the Transvaal lion (P. l. krugeri). Their pale color comes from a recessive gene mutation. They are extremely rare and are found only in zoos, sanctuaries, and wildlife reserves. They are thought to be native to the Timbavati region of South Africa. Their color can range from blond to off-white to pure white. White lions have been kept at the Lory Park Zoo in South Africa, the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia, the Karachi Zoo in Pakistan, and the Kingdom of Zion in New Zealand.

A large black-maned male African lion of the kind found in the Kalahari

Kalahari Lion

These lions are native to the Kalahari region of Africa. They are black-maned and have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Kalahari desert. Their body weight is lower than other lions, which makes them faster and more agile. They hunt at night when temperatures are cooler and prey is easier to find. Their bodies are built for high endurance.

It is unfortunate that these powerful cats are becoming endangered, largely due to poaching and hunting by humans. Many organizations are now working to pass laws that protect lions and stop illegal hunting before more subspecies disappear forever.

A lioness resting with her young cub — A lioness with her cub. Protecting wild lion habitat is the best way to make sure every subspecies has a future.

Word	What It Means
Species	A group of animals so alike they can have babies together. All lions are one species: Panthera leo.
Subspecies	A smaller group inside a species that looks a little different — like the Asiatic lion's smaller mane — usually because it lives in a different place.
Pride	A family group of lions, usually related females and their cubs with a few males. Lions are the only big cats that live this way.
Mane	The thick ring of long hair around a male lion's head. African lions grow big manes; the Asiatic lion's is smaller.
Recessive trait	A hidden feature that only shows up when an animal gets the same gene from both parents. A white lion's pale coat is a recessive trait.
Sexual dimorphism	When males and females of the same animal look different. In lions, only the males grow a mane — that's sexual dimorphism.
Extinct	When a kind of animal has died out completely and none are left alive. The Barbary and Cape lions are extinct in the wild.

8 Different Species of Lions, With Pictures