What a gorgeous mane!
Male lions will start to grow manes around the age of two, which is an indication of sexual maturity. There is this notion that the mane acts as a shield that protects a male’s neck during fights against other males but in fact, lions mostly attack each other on the back and hips. One of the main purposes of lush hair is intimidation. Indeed, the size, coloration, and density of the mane can make the lion appear larger and thus more threatening, potentially warding off opponents.
Also, manes darken with age and darker fuller manes are an indicator of a healthy, well-fed lion with plenty of testosterone and a sign of fighting success. Some studies have shown that female lions are attracted to males with bigger, darker manes. However, darker manes would tend to raise body temperatures, which means that only the “fittest” males can grow the most attractive manes.
Photography by Tomas Piller via 500px
No comments:
Post a Comment