Fun Black Maned Lion Facts For Kids

Do you know who the king of the jungle is? Yes, It is the majestic looking lion. Have you heard of black maned lions? Black maned lions are a subspecies of lions and are more powerful and stronger than other lions. This subspecies acquires its name from the black manes found on the male lions. Dark mane is the symbol of strength and power for them and the darker manes render the male lion with an intimidating appearance. The size and thickness of the black manes differ according to the habitat and temperature. For instance, the wild lions native to cooler regions of Morocco and South Africa will have darker manes as compared to the male lions from warmer parts of Ethiopia. The mane length would also vary accordingly.

Are you curious to know more about this wild lion species with black manes? Here are some fun and amazing facts on black maned lions. Afterward, do check our other articles on these lion facts and white tiger facts.
 

What type of animal is a black maned lion?

The black maned lion is a subspecies of lion that belongs to the family of Felidae. This wild lion species with a dark black mane can mostly be found in South and East Africa. They are found in savannahs, open lands, forests and are vulnerable to extinction. The darker the mane, the more powerful the lion is; so these are very powerful lions as they scare the attackers and are loved by lionesses.

What class of animal does a black maned lion belong to?

The black maned lion is a subspecies of lion that belongs to the mammalian class due to its ability to give birth to young ones. It comes under the Carnivora order in the Felidae family. Its scientific name is Panthera leo melanochaita.

How many black maned lions are there in the world?

The black maned lion population is declining at a rapid rate. There are around 20,000 lions in the wild that now exist in the world.

Where does a black maned lion live?

Black-maned lions are usually found in South and East Africa. This wild lion species with a dark black mane can be seen in countries like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Namibia, and Botswana.  They are seen in the savannah habitat of sub Saharan Africa.

What is a black maned lion's habitat?

Black-maned lion is usually found in South and East Africa especially in Ethiopia. This wild lion species with a dark black mane can usually be seen in open lands, grasslands, rainforests, and the savannah habitat of sub Saharan Africa.

Who do black maned lions live with?

Lions usually live in groups and are called pride. These are the only cats that like to live in a group of 2-4o which includes different age groups of lions. If a young lion intends to take over a pride, they must fight it out with the existing leader of the pride.

How long does a black maned lion live?

The black-maned lion has an average lifespan of 15 years in the wild whereas in captivity it may go up to 30 years. It may vary according to the food habits and environments. In terms of longevity, when you compare a lion vs a black maned lion, the black-maned lion has an edge because of its strength and health.

How do they reproduce?

Black-maned lions reach sexual maturity within two years. Males mate with females during the variable reproductive cycle. The gestation period is 102-120 days. Females give birth to two to five cubs who are absorbed as part of the pride and are taken care of by both the parents.

What is their conservation status?

The black maned lion population is declining very fast. This wild lion species with a dark black mane is under vulnerable status and only around 20,000 lions are left in the world. The black maned lion Endangered status is due to habitat loss and killing of them by local people. Hence, they face an extension threat, necessitating focused conservation efforts.

What do black maned lions look like?

Black-maned lions are a subspecies of lion that belongs to the Felidae family. The rare black-maned lion species comprises majestic looking animals with a dark mane. For them, the black mane is a symbol of power and strength. Black maned lions have strong bodies with strong and sharp teeth and jaws for hunting. The color of the coat is golden yellow or tawny or brownish yellow. Their manes are usually shaggy. Male black maned lions are larger than black maned lionesses.

How cute are they?

Black maned lions are not very cute. Ethiopian black maned lion is grand and powerful in appearance and can be a bit scary when confronted face to face.

How do they communicate?

Black maned lions communicate through loud sounds. They make loud roaring sounds to protect their territory, to scare their predators, and to attract females. Black maned lion roar is generally meant to warn the encroachers upon its territory. They also communicate by leaving scents and visual cues.

How big is a black maned lion?

A black maned lion is a large sized animal and has a length of 97-112 in (246.3-284.4 cm) and a height of around 3.9-4.8 ft (1.18-1.46 m).

How fast can a black maned lion run?

Black maned lions can run very fast at a speed of 50 mph (80 kph). They can leap across a high distance towards the prey.

How much does a black maned lion weigh?

An average male black-maned lion weighs around 412-580 lb (186.8-263.0) whereas a black-maned lioness weighs around 386-563 lb (175.0-255.3).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The name of the species of the black maned lion is Panther leo melanochaita. A black maned lion is called a lion and a female black maned lion is called a lioness.

What would you call a baby black maned lion?

A baby black maned lion is called a cub.

What do they eat? +

Black maned lions are carnivores that prefer to hunt during the night. Their diet includes hares, turtles, birds, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, crocodiles, mice, and baby elephants. They also have predators like hyenas and humans.

Are they dangerous?

Black maned lions are dangerous. It attacks animals as well as humans. They are very strong predators and smart too.

Would they make a good pet?

The black maned lion is a wild animal and is illegal to keep a pet in some places. They are dangerous and are not suitable for keeping as a pet.

Did you know...

Black maned lions are more attractive to female lions than the other types. Female lions like a dark and heavy mane and they find it really attractive and mate with them. These lions also produce more testosterone than the other types of lions like that of blond maned. These African predators travel and hunt only during the night.

Are black maned lions stronger?

Yes, black maned lions are stronger than the other lions. The darker the mane, the stronger and powerful the lion is. Dark manes help during the fight with the other lions.

Are black maned lions rare?

Yes, black-maned lions are somewhat rare. Their population is declining very rapidly and around 20,000 are left in the world due to reasons like hunting and habitat loss.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Bengal tiger facts and Siberian tiger facts pages.  

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our lion coloring pages.