The lion with a flat-top mane, resembling a “celebrity on the red carpet” at events, has surprised the online community.
The lion’s mane is the most recognizable feature of the species, with its size and color varying based on many factors, from genetics to environmental conditions. Typically, lion manes grow in a very “wild” manner and appear quite unkempt, as they never “groom” their manes.
Image of a lion with a strange “hairstyle” shared by netizens.
However, in a photo shared by the online community, a male lion appeared with a well-groomed and tidy mane, as if it had just come from a “beauty salon.”
Notably, the Guangzhou Zoo in China, where this lion resides, claims that they do not trim the animal’s fur. According to an official statement, trimming a lion’s mane is too dangerous as it can affect their health and behavior.
They believe that the mane may have been influenced by the humidity in Guangzhou, causing it to grow in a style quite popular among men.
The male lion appeared with a mane as if it just returned from a “beauty salon.”
Nevertheless, very few people seriously believe the zoo’s statement. Some social media users even accused the staff of lying, as just a few months ago, this lion had a normal mane, and now it looks extremely well-groomed.
They speculate that this could be a detail fabricated by the zoo to “attract” tourists from around the world to come and admire this lion with its “unique hairstyle.”
Typically, for male lions, the mane serves as a “shield” protecting their neck and nape during territorial fights with other rivals.
The length of the mane is also an indicator of health and success in conflict relationships among males. According to a simple rule, a darker and thicker mane indicates that the male lion is in better health.
The reason is that the color and size of the mane are related to genetic prerequisites, maturity factors, and testosterone production capabilities.
Interestingly, not all male lions have manes, or if they do, they may be very short. This occurs when lions lack testosterone, which is linked to mane growth.
Conversely, female lions can also have manes, as seen in some cases recorded in northern Botswana (South Africa). This occurs when female individuals experience a spike in testosterone production.
