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Smith, Y.; Kok, O.B.
A suggested thermoneutral zone for African lions in the southwestern Kalahari, Namibia
2006 Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences (9): 2535-2537
Aspects of the thermoregulatory behaviour of a small pride of African lions (_Panthera leo_) consisting of two adult males, an adult female and two cubs, were investigated at Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve, southeastern Namibia, during winter 2003 and summer 2004. Early morning sunbathing on dune crests was considerably longer during winter when compared to summer, but the cutoff ambient temperature for this behaviour was the same (25øC) for both seasons. Loin exposure, on both empty and full bellies, always occurred between 28 and 34øC. Panting during winter only occurred after bursts of activity on empty bellies. During summer, however, panting was observed while the pride was active and static, being initiated at ambient temperatures of 34øC. It can, therefore, be inferred that the thermoneutral zone for this pride lies between 25 and 33øC.
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