Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[sunless]

(02-14-2025, 09:37 PM)sunless Wrote:

(02-14-2025, 08:50 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Does being pale hints at the likehood of carrying the white gene tho?

Ntsevu K6 is pale, but she doesn't have it, Scar Mbiri is dark, but he does.

Maybe yes or maybe not as reading information online I saw is that the paleness can correlate to the creation of a white cub and producing white lions is that both parents needs to have both genes, but if I remember correctly the original Skorro female is quite pale and just thought to mention it.

Here are some info I saw:

The paleness of a lion's fur can correlate with the ability to produce white cubs, but this is dependent on the presence of specific recessive genes. If both parents carry the recessive gene for white fur, there is a 25% chance that their offspring will be white lions. White lions are not albinos; their coloration is due to leucism, a condition where there is a partial or total lack of pigmentation in the fur, but not in the eyes, nose, or other features. This means that even if a lion appears pale, it does not necessarily mean it can produce white cubs unless it carries the recessive gene. In populations where the white lion gene is present, paler individuals may indicate a higher likelihood of carrying the gene, but paleness alone does not guarantee white cub production.

Here is an added answer from the great chatgpt LOL.

The paleness of a tawny-colored lion does not necessarily indicate a higher chance of producing white cubs. However, in some cases, it could be a subtle hint that the lion carries the recessive TYR gene responsible for white lions. Here's why:

 1. Recessive Gene Requirement – White lions are the result of a recessive mutation in the TYR gene. A lion must inherit two copies of this gene (one from each parent) to be born white.

 2. Carrier Status Is Key – A lion with a slightly paler coat may or may not be a carrier of the recessive white gene. Even lions with a normal tawny coat can carry the gene without visible signs.

 3. Paleness ≠ Direct Genetic Indicator – While some lions with paler coats might be more likely to carry the gene (due to shared ancestry with white lions), paleness itself is not a reliable predictor. Genetic testing is the only definitive way to confirm if a lion carries the gene.

 4. Breeding in White Lion Populations – In areas where white lions occur naturally (like Timbavati, South Africa), tawny lions in the population may have a higher chance of carrying the gene. If a pale tawny lion comes from a lineage with white lions, it could have a slightly higher chance of producing white cubs.

Conclusion:

While paleness in a tawny lion might suggest a higher probability of carrying the white lion gene, it is not a guaranteed indicator. The only sure way to determine if a lion can produce white offspring is genetic testing or knowing the lion’s lineage.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/white-lion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucism

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