Belarus Lion
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Belarus Lion was once considered a subspecies of the African Lion, however has more recently been classified as their own separate species following genetic analysis in the 19,980s. Belarus lions are similar in size to their African counterparts, but heavier, oftentimes weighing as much as 500 pounds for males, and 360 pounds for females. This drastic increase in weight is attributed to their adaptation for colder climates, as the species notably has a higher amount of fat, thicker bones, and much denser fur than warm climate lions.
All Belarus lions have a distinct dark brown coloration, with females notably having a loose 'broken stripe' patterning. This patterning is present in the young, both male and female, and lost by males around one year of age. This species is also well known for being adept swimmers, with slightly webbed feet, likely due to their high populations on the European Archipelago.
It is believed that the Belarus lion evolved from released specimens of lions from zoos in the human era, supported by mitochondrial DNA analysis that showed a tight genetic bottleneck in the species' past. Crossbreeding with other panthera species, such as leopards, has repeatedly been suggested as the source of patterning in females, though has not been backed up by DNA analysis. This remains a common myth about the species in pop culture.
Dietary Needs and Habits
As with all big cats, Belarus lions feed on a wide array of large mammalian prey and will not hesitate to hunt anything that enters their territory that can be caught. Primarily, their diets consist of deer, wild boar, reindeer, and caribou, though livestock and pets are also not out of the question. Predation upon griffons by Belarus lions is understudied, but most recorded instances of the lions hunting griffon have been attributed to being the result of failed griffon attacks on cubs and young individuals.
Although adept swimmers, the lions do not appear to hunt for fish frequently, oftentimes only resorting to in lean times as opportunistic feeding, especially during winter where fish are often trapped by frozen rivers and ponds. Swimming instead seems to be means of rotating their hunter grounds, especially in western Europe where sources of prey may be more quickly depleted.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Much like African Lions, Belarus Lions are social and live in prides made up of many females and their offspring with one to two males. Most often in prides with multiple males, the males are generally siblings and do not compete, sharing mating rights with the lionesses. These males will still be hostile to other male lions, chasing them away from their territory and often sustain severe injury.
Young males are kicked out of their pride by their fathers around two years of age and will often band together with their brothers until they find a pride to take over or lionesses who have left their home pride. Generally, they will seek to find lionesses on their own rather than challenge an established pride, as the risk of dying due to their injuries is extremely high. If however, a band of brothers finds a pride led by an elderly male, they will take the risk of challenging him and ousting him from his pride. Once a pride has been taken over, males will kill any cubs under a year old to force females into heat to breed again.
Prides are typically smaller than that of the African Lion, averaging at one to two males and three to 15 females.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Although lions attacking livestock and people is not common, the Belarus Lion is often heavily punished for this and prone to being hunted in retribution. Due to their limited range, they are much more prone to having their population quickly fall due to over hunting of not only their own species but their prey as well. Although uncommon, they are occasionally hunted for meat by dragons in use in particular recipes, particularly for the Batterion Feast.
Their population has seen a steady increase over the years thanks to protections put in by many European countries as well as the species, although distinct from African lions, being claimed under the protection of Sekhmet, Goddess of Lions.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Belarus Lion is found across the European Archipelago and known to occasionally swim to other islands. They can also be found in parts of the Western Europe peninsulas and western Asia. Their species is named for the first pride discovered that was notably distinct from the African Lion, found in Belarus.
Conservation Status
Threatened
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dark tan, brown, occasionally black with lighter cream or tan underbelly. Males sport dark brown or black manes.
Geographic Distribution
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