Animal of the Day #5

OMG i got even sicker and missed even more D: I should be back now :P

Also i added insects n stuff to the list of creatures ill cover in the future

Today’s animal is... the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)!!

The asiatic lion is a small population of lions restricted to Gir Forest National Park and surrounding areas in India. The historic range of the asiatic lion used to stretch across costal forests in northern Africa and from northern Greece across south-west Asia to Eastern India. With the advent of firearms, it has been hunted to extinction in these areas.

                               Distribution map of the asiatic lion

Asiatic lions are similar to African lions in appearance. However, asiatic lions are smaller than African lions, with male asiatic lions weighing 353–420 lbs with a body length of 8–9 feet and female asiatic lions weighing 220–285 lbs with a body length of 7-8 feet. They also have larger tail tufts, smaller manes, and a distinct fold of skin across their underbelly.

Asiatic lions are carnivorous hunters, like most lions. In Gir Forest National Park, they prey on chital, sambar deer, nilgai, and domestic water buffalo. Outside of the park, they prey on water buffalo and cattle. During the dry months, they have been observed hunting marsh crocodiles as well.

Some facts about the asiatic lion:

• The asiatic lion is listed as endangered and stable on the IUCN red list.

  

       A male and female asiatic lion      A female asiatic lion and cub

comment below if you have any animals you'd like to see in the future! :]