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Why don't lionesses have manes?

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Lions are the only cats that live in big groups, prides extending upto 30 in number. They are also the only cats exhibiting a very obvious sexual dimorphism, meaning a very obvious difference in appearance. read more

Lionesses don't need manes since their jobs are hunting and caring. A mane stands out in the grass, which could damage their chances of an ambush. From afar, its harder to spot a lioness than a lion in the tall grass. But it has happened before, lionesses have grown manes, but this is incredibly rare. read more

If the mane makes the lioness slower, that could be a reason. If the mane makes the lioness overheat more easily when sprinting and hunting, that could be a third reason. In short, if the lionesses do not need a mane and/or the mane is a disadvantage, then natural selection would get rid of the lionesses that have manes. read more

There’s a place called Mombo in Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve that houses some very peculiar lionesses. These female lions are maned - and that doesn’t mean just a few tufts of hair around their necks and chests - their manes are so luxurious, they can often fool competing lions into thinking they’re males. read more

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