Types of Lions: 5 Lions That Are Endangered and Extinct

The signature mane, the predatory stealthy movement, the fierce roar-it appears fitting to discover that there is just one species of lion (Panthera leo).  However, there are several subspecies, which are different in appearance and other specific traits.

Almost all lions are indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa, living here and there excluding the deserts and rainforests, apart from the Asiatic lion that inhabits one small region of India.

Below, are six types of lions that are brave, fierce, and, in need of protection, in most cases.

(Photo : Getty Images)

1. Northeast Congo Lion

The Congo lion or Northeast Congo lion (Panthera leo azandica) is also called the Uganda lion. Unsurprisingly, they are generally seen in Uganda or Congo, though they are likely not from there. Just like other lions, Northeast Congo Lions are enormous animals; males weigh around 420 pounds while females weigh a little less than the male. Northeast Congo males also display very dark manes; some of the manes are even black.

2. Barbary Lion

The Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo) was indigenous to the Atlas Mountains of Africa, which include some parts of Algeria, Maghreb, and Morocco. Because they are cold-weather animals, they grow thick, dark, long-haired manes that touches their shoulders. 

Also Read: Rare Mountain Lions Spotted in Kansas

3. West African Lion

Also known as Senegalese lions, West African lions (Panthera leo senegalensis), are not that big in size and genetically different from other lions. They are also critically endangered. Around 350 west African lions inhabit a vast UNESCO heritage site located at the intersection of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Beni.

4. Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is a little bit smaller than African lions, and their manes are darker and shorter. They also possess a fold of skin that runs through their belly - a characteristic African lion does not possess. Asiatic lions are very rare; in the wild, there are only a few hundred. All of the wild Asiatic lions that are remaining inhabit the Gir Forest in India, a somewhat small wildlife reserve.

5. Katanga Lion

Katanga lions (Panthera leo melanochaita) inhabit southern and east Africa. At times called Cape lions or Transvaal, they are a special subspecies but are very akin to other Sub-Saraharan African lions. Katanga lions were almost wiped out due to trophy hunting, and they no longer exist in parts of their previous range. Today, these lion populations are recovering slowly thanks to the establishment of managed reserves in places like Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana.

(Photo : Getty Images)

6. European Cave Lion

The European cave lion (Panthera spelaeacave) is a lion that is already extinct and is akin to modern lions. There were not less than two if not three subspecies of European cave lions which existed during the Ice Age. These were prehistoric mega predators, akin to the Beringian cave lion; both of them were bigger than the lions of today, but may have had some similar behaviors. About 14,000 years ago both the Beringian and European cave lions went extinct.

Related Article: Study Shows Male Lions are Ambush-Style Predators

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