Cute Lion with Flowers

About this drawing

Picture a cute lion with flowers all around, and the first thing you probably notice is the mane. That thick ruff of hair circling the head and running down the neck and chest is the best-known feature of the species. Only males grow one, which makes it easy to tell a lion from a lioness at a glance.

Cubs aren't born with a mane. Young males look a lot like their sisters at first, and the hair starts coming in slowly as they get older. It takes several years to fill out, and it can keep getting darker as a lion ages.

So what is all that hair for? Think of it as a sign you can read from far away. A big mane makes a lion look larger and stronger, which warns other males to keep their distance. It sends a message to lionesses too. Scientists studying lions in Africa found that females tend to pick males with darker manes, and those males are often healthy and well fed.

There is a downside, though. A heavy mane is hot, a bit like wearing a scarf in summer. That's one reason manes vary from place to place. Lions in very hot areas often have shorter or thinner manes, while those in cooler spots can grow much fuller ones. No two look exactly alike.

• lion
• flowers
• butterfly
• garden
• cute animals