Lions are commonly known as the ‘king of the jungle’ thanks to their majestic appearance and powerful physiques. As apex predators, they dominate their environment, roaring to establish their territory and communicate with pride members. This is playfully demonstrated in the lion and mouse story, The Lion Inside, in which the lion “made sure everyone saw how important he was by how loud he could ROAR”. But did you know there are two different subspecies of lion? Let’s look at the differences between them.

Lion subspecies

While there is only one species of lion (Panthera Leo), as recently as the early 21st century there were thought to be multiple subspecies. Until the mid-20th century, there were 26 recognised subspecies, but this had dropped to 12 by the early 2000s. Since 2017, however, lion types have been determined by tracing the genetic lineage of lions in different locations. The result is that there are now only two recognised subspecies: the Northern or ‘African’ lion and the Southern or ‘Asiatic’ lion.

What are the differences in appearance?

Most likely, the lion you’ll find in a lion book such as The Lion Inside is a Northern or African lion. These are the largest subspecies, with males growing up to 3.3 metres in length (excluding their tails) and weighing up to 250kg. Females can reach 2.7 metres and weigh up to 180kg.

Asiatic lions are smaller, with the males growing no more than 2.9 metres long excluding their tails, and weighing up to 190kg. Male Asiatic lions can also be identified by their shorter, darker mane, which leaves their ears more exposed, as well as a fold of skin along their belly.

Where does each subspecies live?

African lions, as the name suggests, are found in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly in the east and south of the continent. They are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from open woodland and thick bush to grasslands and semi-arid desert areas. Three of the five largest populations of African lion are found in Tanzania. Unfortunately, in recent decades, they have disappeared entirely from 12 sub-Saharan countries. The IUCN estimates there are between 20,000 and 39,000 African lions in the wild.

Asiatic lions are much smaller in number, with only around 700 estimated to be living in the wild. These are located mostly in India’s Gir Forest, where they are protected. However since 2019 some of these lions have been moving towards the coast, making use of salt pan areas and mangroves. This is thought to be because the Gir Forest is no longer large enough to support the growing population.

Discover The Lion Inside

If your family is big cat crazy, why not take them to London’s Southbank Centre this April to see The Lion Inside theatre production? You’ll find out how The Lion Inside mouse faces his fears and visits the lion to ask for help with finding his roar. This heartwarming story is told with stunning puppetry, and is suitable for kids aged three and up. Book your tickets today.