Largest Living wild lions ?

[chaos]

(08-31-2014, 07:21 PM)'Amnon242' Wrote:

(08-31-2014, 06:26 PM)'chaos' Wrote:

(08-31-2014, 01:01 PM)'Amnon242' Wrote:

(08-30-2014, 09:41 PM)'chaos' Wrote:

(08-30-2014, 01:23 PM)'sanjay' Wrote: According to me, prey density is important for increasing population. To attain bigger size they should prey on relatively large prey or inversely you can say those area where bigger size prey are available predators need more muscle power and big body dimension to take them down.



 

Intersting take. Larger prey combined with prey density/availability will produce
maximum size. A logical assessment, I do believe.


 

I would say it will produce big prides composed of relatively bigger lions.

But once again - variability in size among lions seems to be quite low. Some sub-populations are somewhat bigger than other, but the difference is probably not that big like it is among tigers (among bengals you have very small sundarban tigers in contrast to huge north-indian tigers, or among amurs you have quite small korean tigers in contrast to gigantic manchurian tigers). I do belive that it has something to do with the social/solitary lifestyle.

Guate or Peter are more informed on this...  


 

Size variablity is less with lions than tigers, correct. But disparity in prey availability is clearly evident in
the drier regions of the African plains as opposed to areas of S Africa where the largest and most robust
lions reside. What I'm saying; there is a correlation there. Same with crater lions also. Let's simplify,  lions
that eat more, will grow larger. I agree that hunting larger prey demands more - physically - and will result
in a more muscular cat. I've noted from observations, a distinct physical difference in appearance in lions
of different regions. Not talking height or length, but weight and musculature. The okovangos for example.
They've been quoted as "lions on steroids" due to their diet of buffalo, while African plains lions appear thin
and malnourished during the dry season, due to lack of prey. I'm no expert, but I use my eyesight and my
reasoning to reach a plausible answer.

 

Disparity in prey availability is certainly a factor, but lions (probably due to their social life style) are not that much affected by this, the correlation is not so strong (when we talk about size). South african lions are on average heavier than east african, but the difference is like 190 kg vs 170 kg (I don´t know exact numbers).

If you compare it to bengal tigers...sundarbans are around 120 kg (???)...or even less(?), while northern bengals are twice as heavy...  

anyway...I see no dispute between us, basically we agree with each other...perhaps according to you the size variability among lions is somewhat bigger than according to me...

Guate?...

 

 Okovangos and craters, who dwell in their own micro-eco systems, due to their environs, would offer more insight
to the equation. Hopefully, in the near future, accurate data will surface.  Reply