Lions in South-Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia

[peter]

(10-02-2015, 06:41 PM)chaos Wrote: Some rather large lions. This lends credence to the claim of 250+ kg for the lion weighed (supposedly, as some claim)
a while back in the Timbavati region.

Timbavati seems to be a hotspot for some reason. I had a book about the white male Tibavati lion. There was a descendant in a Dutch zoo some years ago. I went over to see him and talked to the vet, who had a special relationship with the lion. I saw him at very close range. Inside, just the three of us. At just over 600 pounds (actual weight), he was huge. Same for the normal coloured male (also from Timbavati). The lionesses were over 350 pounds. All lions were fit.   

There are more hotspots in South Africa. Same for parts of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Northern Africa also had very large individuals a century ago. The longest skull I measured was from Ethiopia. Based on what I have, I'd say lions in Zimbabwe, Mocambique (western part) and Zambia could have been the heaviest. South Africa probably tops the list for total length at the level of averages. 

Interesting info, Majingilane. Are you able to get to some conclusions on coalitions? Are there regional differences in size and behaviour? Why is it some coalitions left total destruction? Anything known as to factors that affect behaviour? Reply