About the Author

Dean de la Rey

Alumni Ranger

Dean was a guide at Londolozi from 2018 to 2022. He grew up in Johannesburg and it was from his very first trip to the bush at the age of two that he was captivated by this environment (he claims he can remember ...

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27 Comments

on Why do Male Lions Have Manes?

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Interesting blog Dean. I can not imagine a male lion without it’s mane. In the Kalahari lions with dark mane are called black maned Kalahari lions. Some believe or assume they are a different lion species or have different genes to our lions. It is actually all the same species, although I do not know why they are darker. There is probably a scientific explanation that I have not come across yet.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you for the comment Marinda, most of the colouration has to do with genetics. The Lions in the Kalahari are probably due t a string blood line from way back.

Kate Doyle
Explorer

That is a great shot of the three Birmingham males!!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Kate.

Kate Doyle
Explorer

That is a great shot of the three Birmingham males!!

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

What a good article, I remember seeing an almost white male with an almost white /blonde mane in the Mara but suspect this is quite rare.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Ian. Yes very rare, I stand to be corrected but the only living, wild, white Lions are in the Timbavati at the moment.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

All food for thought…. since male lions grow manes to supposedly lure females for mating purposes, in addition to showing who’s in charge of his territory, it’s curious that the same mane does not exist within the remaining feline species, namely leopards and cheetahs. For the latter, it can be difficult to sex the individuals unless they’re side by side – usually males are larger. Since they scent mark, perhaps that also can deter interlopers. Needless to say it’s all fascinating.

I saw and photographed the female with full mane while spending time in Mombo Camp several years. He/she was enjoying a lazy afternoon with other pride members. Curiously, would a cat like that have an opportunity to mate? Or would her hormones be compromised?! The natural world of animals never ceases to amaze me!!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Extremely Fascinating, thank you for the great comment Denise. very lucky to see that female.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Dean, her name given by Mombo was Martina. Not sure what happened to her …..

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Hi Dean. Very interesting article and some super pics as well. Thank you very much. I am particularly impressed with the pic of 2 of the Birminghams have a scrap over mating with the Sparta lioness. Huge amount of power there! Also – the impressive line up of 3 of them – looking very determined …. Thanks again. Wendy M

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you for the great comment Wendy.

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Dean – Great article – I love the photo of the 3 Birmingham males. I only saw one on last trip to Londolozi in 2018.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Joan, yes to see them all together happens rarely.

Bob and Lucie Fjeldstad
Guest contributor

Interesting final thought Dean, since your mane seems intact. Mine not so much, but then fortunately for me I found the lioness of my life when my mane was still in tact!!!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Bob, had a good chuckle to this comment.

Callum Evans
Guest contributor

Very interesting post!!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Callum

Michael and Terri Klauber
Guest contributor

Dean, great shots! The one of the 3 males together is awesome!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Michael and Terri.

Makhulu of the Mapogo coalition had one the most beautiful dark mane of any lion I have ever seen.

Moorec
Explorer

why did the females start growing manes and how ?

Moorec
Explorer

the picture of the lions fighting is really good and are they fightning for a female?

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Moore, yes they were fighting for a female!

Moorec
Explorer

thank you

Trish Monck
Master Tracker

Verrrry interesting!

Trish Monck
Master Tracker

Great information and photos!

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