Surprising facts about white lions

• Surprising facts about white lions

Can you imagine the lions is as white as the polar bears? If not, then you are very surprised to learn that lions with snow-white hair really live in Africa. These lions with white hair, are believed to be natives of the area of ​​Timbavati in South Africa. They are known to have lived in this region for a very long time. But officially, the first recorded flock of white lions came to be known in the second half of the 20s was the century. However, the attention of the public, these animals received only in 1970 thanks to the book "White Lions of Timbavati", published by Chris McBride.

These lions like lions usual, except the color of their hair. These majestic animals belong to the Panthera genus in the family Felidae. Lions (Panthera leo), is believed to have appeared in Africa thousands of years ago. There are eight species of lions, and one among them Panthera leo krugeri, known as the Southeast African Lion. These lions live in the South-eastern regions of Africa, such as the Kruger National Park. Thus, these animals are also referred to as African white lions and classified as Panthera leo krugeri. White lions are unique only for its white color.

We all know about the white individuals of different animal species. For example a white rabbits, white proteins white giraffes, and t. D. The white coloration could occur due to a birth defect, called albinism, which causes the complete or partial loss of melanin in the eyes, hair and skin. In the same way as conventional Lions, White Lions also have a golden yellow-brown eyes. In some rare cases also seen blue eyes. Their white color is often attributed to a genetic condition called 'leucism'. This hair color is due to a mutation that reduces the pigment along the hair shaft, resulting in a pale wool. Thus, these may be lions coat color that ranges from pale blond to almost pure white. It has been noticed that young white lion born with white hair color, which then mutate to the light when they grow up. In short, it is - a recessive gene (called chinchilla or color inhibitor gene), which is said to be responsible for the color of white hair. Since it is - a genetic condition, young, white lions, may or yellowish-brown, or white snow. Only Young with the dominance of recessive genes will be white. However, there is no answer to the question of why this type of mutation found only lions belonging to this species. Therefore, white lions are not considered a separate species.

The color of white lions is the result of a rare color mutation. It is believed that these lions are almost extinct in the wild, and so today the majority of the white population of lions live in zoos, where actively used between inbreeding. But it is already known such interbreeding can lead to serious health problems. As the white lions are very few, it takes a lot of effort to naturally restore the population of the white lions in South Africa.

There are certain views that white lions are not suitable for wildlife because of their white fur. That the white color does not serve them camouflage, and it makes them unfit to live in the wild. However, there is no evidence for such statements, and even the lives of these animals has not been studied thoroughly, but the fact of their presence suggests that they have an excellent chance of survival in the wild along with their relatives.

At the moment, these animals are not protected by law. It is known that early Africans believed that the white lions - the messengers of God, and they symbolize purity and enlightenment? It was believed that the disrespect to these animals lead to the anger of God. And although it is only the beliefs that allowed at least as something to protect these beautiful animals from extinction, still hanging over their existence is a real threat, and it is possible in a short time we did not get to see any of the white lion.