The White Lion

Considered divine by the people of Africa, the rare white lion has captured many an imagination with its unusually beautiful coat.

Lions usually bring an image of a strong, tawny, male which observes over its pride and its area majestically. But now, there have been developments. In the 1970’s, white lions were discovered. Its pearl white skin and mane set it apart. But it’s not a different species at all. White lions are caused by a mutation in the lion subspecies Panthera Leo krugeri and this mutation causes a lack of pigmentation and not a complete loss of it. The pigmentation is present in very small quantities resulting in a pale colour. But anywhere from blonde to pure white, sometimes even a light red is considered to be a white lion.

These lions are considered to be very rare out in the wild and are thus bred selectively in captivity. A chinchilla mutation causes this color change and this lack of pigmentation is something which also causes white tigers. White lions though can be born by selective breeding, but this means that inbreeding is fairly common. Although inbreeding defects like genetic defects and heart diseases have not been observed so far, it is predicted that severe inbreeding will cause these defects.

Although these lions lack pigmentation in their hair and fur, this lack of pigmentation is usually limited to their paw pads, eye and lip colour. Pigmentation in these areas is particularly visible, causing a condition called leucism, where pigmentation is present in eyes, but lacking severely in hair and fur.

The chance of a white lion resulting from two tawny lions mating is one in four, whereas when two white lions mate, all their cubs will be white. The striking lack of white lions in the wild is attributed to the same thing that makes it so special; its colour.

The white lion’s bright and pearly coat make it almost impossible to hunt or be hunted. Its white coat can easily be noticed by its prey, while it can’t remain camoflauged, and so is an easy target for hunters. These make the white lion a very easy target for hunters and poachers, among whom the white lion skin is highly priced.

Although there are only near 300 of these lions in captivity, they will be continued to be revered as gods among the people of Africa, who consider the white lion as a deity.