Barbary Lion
Barbary Lion
Barbary Lion
The Barbary lion, a majestic creature that once reigned over the lands of North Africa. With their massive size and jet-black manes, these lions commanded a powerful presence among their kind. However, they vanished from the Earth in the first half of the 20th century. Let's delve into the mystery of the extinct Barbary lion and trace their journey through history.
Barbary Lion Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panthera leo leo |
| Taxonomic Status | SUBSPECIES |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Barbary Lion |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Genus | Panthera |
| Habitats | Barbary Coast region of North Africa (before extinction) |
| Descriptions | The Barbary lion was a subspecies of lion that once lived in the Barbary Coast region of North Africa. It went extinct in the first half of the 20th century and was characterized by its exceptionally large size and thick, black mane. |
| Conservation Status | EXTINCT |
Size
They measured about 2.7 to 3.0 meters in length (including tail), and males are estimated to have weighed about 200 to 270 kilograms. There are no detailed records regarding the size of females.
Lifespan
While there are no precise records, it is estimated that they lived for about 10 to 14 years in the wild.
Distribution
They were once widely distributed in North Africa, including countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. They were particularly abundant in the Atlas Mountains and the Barbary Coast region of the northern Sahara Desert.
Barbary Lion Q&A
What kind of lion was the Barbary lion?
The Barbary lion is said to have been the largest and most magnificent of all lion subspecies. Their manes covered not only their necks but also their shoulders and bellies, giving them the appearance of wearing a black cloak.
They also had shorter faces and thicker legs than other lions. The Barbary lion was also known as the 'Atlas lion' or 'Nubian lion'.
What did Barbary lions eat?
Barbary lions were carnivores, mainly preying on large herbivores such as Barbary red deer, Barbary sheep, gazelles, and wild boar.
They sometimes hunted alone, but often hunted in cooperative groups of two or three individuals. They would stalk their prey and then attack in a sudden burst of speed. They used their sharp teeth and claws to kill their prey. They were also known to steal kills from other predators.
Why did they go extinct?
The extinction of the Barbary lion was primarily due to human activities.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, increasing numbers of European settlers arrived, transforming their forest and grassland habitats into farmland and pasture.
They were also targeted for sport hunting, and many lions were killed. Furthermore, they were captured for display in zoos. These combined factors led to the extinction of the Barbary lion in the wild by the 1920s.
[Quiz!] Did Barbary lions live during the Roman Empire?
Yes, Barbary lions lived during the Roman Empire. They were feared and respected by the Romans for their strength.
Gladiator fights against lions were held as spectacles in the Colosseum. Barbary lions were also kept as pets by Roman nobles.
[Quiz!] Are Barbary lions truly extinct?
Although Barbary lions are considered extinct in the wild, there are lions in zoos around the world that carry Barbary lion ancestry.
These lions are not pure Barbary lions, but they have inherited their genes. Therefore, it may be possible to revive the Barbary lion in the future by breeding these lions. However, this would require addressing various challenges, such as restoring their habitat and preventing poaching.
[Quiz!] When and where was the last wild Barbary lion sighted?
The last wild Barbary lion was reportedly sighted in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in 1922.
They have never been seen in the wild since. However, lions with Barbary lion ancestry are still kept in zoos around the world.
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Barbary Lion Type of List
Causes of the Barbary Lion's Extinction
- Habitat destruction: Deforestation and agricultural development destroyed their habitat.
- Sport hunting: Many Barbary lions were killed for entertainment.
- Capture for zoos: Many Barbary lions were captured for display in zoos.
- Disease: Diseases introduced by humans spread among the Barbary lion population.
Information
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Barbary Lion References
Barbary Lion Introduction of media used
Michael J. Litzinger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nelson Robinson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
English: Photograph by Fernandus (formerly of Biskra, Algeria), published by Alfred Edward Pease (29 June 1857 – 27 April 1939)Nederlands: Alfred Edward Pease (29 juni 1857 – 27 april 1939), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Barbary Lion
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