IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Guggisberg, C.A.W. | |
| Lion _Panthera leo _(Linnaeus 1758) | |
| 1975 Book Chapter | |
Characteristics, distribution and habits of the lion. Of the lion it can be safely said that it has made a deeper and more lasting impact on human imagination than any other animal. At an early time in history it attained a prominent place in myth, fable and folklore. It was made a symbol of bravery and magnanimity and even found itself elevated to the exalted status of "King of Beasts." Its name has become firmly established in the everyday colloquialisms. Expressions such as "the lion's share," "lion-hearted," "as strong as a lion," and "entering the lion's den" are used constantly. The lion as an inhabitant of mainly open country withdrew when post-glacial Europe became densely forested, probably disappearing from most regions during the Azilian period of the Neolithic. There is no doubt, however, that in classic times it still existed in the Balkans. The lion, named Felis leo by Linnaeus, has all the characteristics of the genus Panthera. The pupils are round when contracted, and instead of screaming like an overgrown tomcat, it roars in a most impressive manner. It is unable to purr, the hyoid being incompletely ossified, with its lower part consisting of an extensible ligament measuring 15cm (6 in) when relaxed and 22.5 cm (9 in) when stretched. The lion differs, however, from tiger, leopard, and jaguar by its sociable habits, a pronounced sexual dimorphism, and by having a tuft at the end of the tail, within which there is normally hidden a horny spur separated from the last caudal vertebra. |
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