Panthera leo sinhaleyus (SciiFii)

The Sri Lankan lion (Panthera leo sinhaleyus), also known as the Ceylonese lion, is a subspecies of lion that originally lived in Sri Lanka during the Pleistocene and, possibly, the early Holocene and the subspecies was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout Sri Lanka to help boost biodiversity. The Sri Lankan lion can be distinguished from the other lion subspecies by having a narrower and more elongate body, although some specimens with bulkier bodies have been recorded. The Sri Lankan lion's fur ranges in colour from ruddy-tawny, heavily speckled with black, to sandy or buffish grey, sometimes with a silvery sheen in certain lighting. Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head, so that their ears are always visible. The mane is scanty on the cheeks and throat, where it is only 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. Males have a shoulder height of up to 107–120 centimeters (42–47 inches), and females of 80–107 centimeters (31.5–42 inches). Male Sri Lankan lions are solitary, or associate with up to three males, forming a loose pride. Pairs of males rest, hunt and feed together, and display marking behaviour at the same sites. Females associate with up to 12 females, forming a stronger pride together with their cubs. They share large carcasses among each other, but seldom with males. Female and male lions usually associate only for a few days when mating, but rarely live and feed together. The Sri Lankan lions are primarily active at twilight and by night, showing a high temporal overlap with sambar (Rusa unicolor), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and water buffalo (Bubalus arnee). In general, lions prefer large prey species within a weight range of 190 to 550 kg (420 to 1,210 lb), irrespective of their availability. Sri Lankan lions mate foremost between October and November. Mating lasts three to six days. During these days, they usually do not hunt, but only drink water. Gestation lasts about 110 days. Litters comprise one to four cubs. The average interval between births is 24 months, unless cubs die due to infanticide by adult males or because of diseases and injuries. Cubs become independent at the age of about two years. Subadult males leave their natal pride latest at the age of three years and become nomads until they establish their own territory. Dominant males mate more frequently than their coalition partners. The conservation status of the Sri Lankan lion is Endangered due to habitat loss and poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Sri Lankan lion is a protected species.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii