Buzz
Much like the cheetah’s spots or the zebra’s stripes, a male lion’s mane is arguably one of its most distinctive traits. However, there’s quite a bit of variation in the king of the jungle’s hairstyle, ranging from thick, golden manes to no mane at all.
Consider the Climate
For many years, scientists used the length of a lion’s mane to distinguish different lion species and subspecies. They thought that mane length was a genetic trait passed down from one generation to the next.
A 2006 study by Bruce Patterson, the curator emeritus of mammals at the Field Museum in Chicago, showed that climate is a key factor in determining the length of a lion’s mane. According to the museum, the temperature of a zoo lion’s environment accounts for up to half of the size and density of its mane. While genetics might also influence the mane's appearance—some lions may be naturally inclined to grow longer, fuller manes—temperature plays a major role in causing considerable variation. This suggests that scientists may need to revisit their current taxonomy.
Patterson examined lions at 17 zoos across the United States, recording the temperatures in each area and measuring the length of the hair around the lions’ necks. He discovered that lions in cooler regions had considerably longer manes compared to those in warmer climates. Since manes require energy to grow and maintain, lions in warmer environments, where a mane isn’t necessary for warmth, tend to have shorter ones.
The Tsavo Lions
Although rare, some lions in particularly hot environments don’t grow manes at all. Patterson’s study was sparked by two such lions—the infamous Tsavo man-eaters.
In the late 19th century, the Tsavo lions were responsible for the deaths of up to 135 people in Tsavo, Kenya. The lions were eventually killed, and their bodies were donated to the Field Museum, where, nearly a century later, Patterson became intrigued by their lack of manes. “Even a small mane can be imposing in hot, dry climates, where the risks of overheating are high, and most male lions have little or no mane,” Patterson explained in a Field Museum news article. “This is the case in Tsavo, Kenya, where most lions are maneless.”
Patterson and his team suggested that the Tsavo lions' unusual attacks on humans might have been due to their dental problems, which included broken teeth, abscesses, and missing teeth. These issues could have made it easier for the lions to target humans, as they are simpler to capture compared to their typical prey like wildebeests. Patterson also stated that 'Humans are so much easier to catch' than other animals.
Now that you understand why some male lions have manes while others don’t, learn whether lions are truly courageous and why they were often depicted as 'so funny looking' in older illustrations.
