If you’ve read Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s lion and mouse story, The Lion Inside, you’ll probably have guessed it’s set in Africa. Almost all wild lions (over 95%) are African lions - but did you know there’s another small population of lions living in India? These Asiatic lions are the same species as their African relatives, but the two are separate subspecies. This means they have different traits that have been identified by scientists. Let’s take a look at them. 
 

1. Size

African lions are the larger of the subspecies, with males weighing between 160 - 225kg. Male Asiatic lions, meanwhile, weigh 160 - 190kg. 

2. Mane

The Asiatic lion’s mane is shorter and less dense than the African lion’s. Typically you’ll be able to see the ears of an Asiatic male lion, while those of an African lion are hidden beneath its mane. Asiatic lions’ manes are usually darker too. 

3. Location

Asiatic lions live in a very specific location in India: the Gir National Park in the state of Gurjarat. They used to roam across the Middle East and Asia, but there are now sadly only 600-700 left in the wild. African lions live across sub-Saharan Africa, with large populations in Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana. 
 

4. Skin fold

Asiatic lions have a skin fold that runs along the length of their bellies, from the front legs to the back legs. This is one of their most distinguishing features; African lions do not have it. 

5. Elbow and tail tufts

Asiatic lions have prominent tufts of hair on their elbows and tails, while the tufts on African lions’ elbows and tails are smaller. 
 

6. Skull size

A subtle difference between the subspecies is that African lions have a broader skull and facial structure compared to Asiatic lions. 
 

7. Pride size

African lions live in large prides that include up to 40 animals. The average size is about 15, with between one and four males and the rest females and cubs. Asiatic lions, however, live in far smaller prides consisting of two to five females and their cubs. Males are more loosely associated with prides, only joining with them for mating or sharing large kills. 
 

8. Dominance

In African lion prides, the males are dominant, guarding the pride and defending it against threats. If an outside male takes over, he will usually kill all the cubs so that his own cubs thrive. However, the females are dominant in Asiatic lion prides, rarely sharing prey with males.
 

9. Food

While African lions eat large prey such as wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and antelope - and have even been known to hunt giraffes and young elephants - Asiatic lions eat smaller prey. Their diet consists of deer such as chital and sambar, antelope like nilgai, and occasionally water buffalo and wild boar.

10. Roaring

While the African lion has a loud, resonant roar that can travel up to five miles, the Asiatic lion’s roar is slightly softer. Asiatic lions are also thought to roar less frequently. 

Discover The Lion Inside

If you like the lion story book The Lion Inside, you’ll love the stage show. Aimed at children aged three and up, it tells Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s mouse and lion story with songs, dance and puppetry. Book your tickets today.