What is the difference between an African Lion and an Asiatic Lion?
The African Lion (Panthera leo leo) and the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) are both predatory mammals.
The African Lion is native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Asiatic Lion is native only to the Gir Forest in Gujarat in India.
The African Lion is bigger and heavier than the Asiatic Lion.
African Lion, male (left) and Asiatic Lion, male (right)
The African Lion has a smooth, tight belly, whereas the Asiatic Lion has a belly fold (a flap of skin that runs along its belly).
The male African Lion has a large mane of hair around its head, whereas the male Asiatic Lion has a smaller, shaggier mane.
The African Lion has a smaller tuft of hair at the end of its tail than the Asiatic Lion.
African Lion
Asiatic Lion
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM