Black lion - myth or reality? Let's check. Black lion - exists or not Black lion - exposure

The lion is without a doubt the king of beasts, and he earned this royal title with his “royal” habits, appearance, a magnificent mane and a menacing roar. But among lions there are also completely unique specimens, for example, real albino lions.

The white color of such lions is explained by a genetic mutation, so-called leukemia. Moreover, such lions have normal pigmentation of the skin and eyes.

White Lion.

Amazing white lions can be found in national parks South Africa(Kruger Park and Timbavati Reserve), where they were even specially bred for some time.

But what about black lions? As is known from biology, the phenomenon of albinism is opposed by the phenomenon of melanism, which causes black coat color. Melanism is especially common in other felines: leopards and jaguars. Yes, that’s right, black individuals called panthers are not a separate zoological species, the name only refers to the coat color.

If there are black jaguars and leopards, then the natural question would be: are there black lions in nature? There really is such an assumption, but it is questioned by many zoologists; in their opinion, if such a black lion appeared in nature, it would not live long due to many negative reasons, such as:

• thermoregulation disorder
• difficulties when hunting (due to its color, it will be many times more difficult for such a lion to sneak up on potential prey unnoticed)
• reduced immunity.

Perhaps such a lion would have survived if he had been born in captivity, in some zoo, but this has not happened yet.

However, some cryptozoologists are still confident in the existence of black lions; for example, reports of them came from the African region of Okovango, but there is no documentary evidence of this.

Scientific enthusiasts do not lose hope of meeting a black lion, either in nature, or that such a unique specimen will be born somewhere in a zoo, because meeting it will help clarify some of the mysteries of the evolution of the feline species.

Perhaps, without exaggeration, we can say that lions are one of the most beautiful big cats. No wonder the majestic appearance that emphasizes huge mane, and the physical power of this beast endowed it with a special title - “king of beasts.” Almost anyone can imagine the familiar image of a lion, and on the Internet you can find many photographs: golden fur, dark red mane.

Like some other cat species, there are individuals with genetic abnormalities - albinos - animals with an absolutely white coat color and blue eyes. Even though this is a rare event, but there is still a sufficient amount of documentary evidence made both in zoos and in the wild. Albino tigers are also well known.

However, information periodically emerges about lions that have the opposite genetic mutation - melanism, i.e. about animals with completely black coat color. As evidence, the authors include photographs allegedly taken both in zoos and in the wild. This “sensational” information is readily picked up by users social networks, accompanying their publications with mandatory reports about the rarest, unique phenomenon and surviving single specimens of such animals.

Let's try to check whether melanistic lions really exist or whether all publications about them are nothing more than fake.

Let's define the stages of fact-checking:

1. Search for the keyword “black lion”.
2. Search by photo. It is necessary to check whether the attached illustrations are indisputable confirmation of the existence of black lions, or whether they are processed in Photoshop for the sake of another fake sensation.
3. Searching for scientific evidence of the existence of black lions.

A Google search revealed a wealth of material on this topic and also yielded additional images of black lions. It is worth noting that there are many links to online publications on this request has headings with a question mark.

Thus, we have identified several images that we can search for.

Next, we search through the found photographs. The results, as you would expect, are numerous. However, what immediately attracts attention are links with images of the same lions, but of an absolutely familiar color. Moreover, the original photo with which we began our fact-checking contains the exact opposite image, namely an albino lion.

Several search queries using photographs allowed us to get more or less full picture black lions and original photos.

Note that all found photographs of black lions have visual errors made during processing in Photoshop. When the pictures are enlarged, a clearly noticeable contour along which the selection was made, a careless drawing of the mane, a too saturated, shiny black color “float out” to the light, which cannot be compared with the natural color of lions’ closest relatives - leopards and jaguars with the melanism mutation , usually called black panthers.

Considering that we have not found a single authentic photograph, we are looking for comments from experts.

There is no consensus among experts on this issue. Despite the fact that black lions have never been seen in the wild, they, unlike albino lions, have never been born in zoos, scientists admit the existence or birth of animals with such a gene mutation.

Experts on big cats explain a possible reason for the absence of such animals at present by the fact that melanistic lions did not survive during evolution, and therefore the possibility of their appearance is now practically zero. If a lion cub with black fur is born in conditions wildlife, then his death will be contributed to by factors such as impaired thermoregulation, decreased immunity and difficulties in hunting. Biologists believe that a lion with black fur will not survive in the wild, but can survive if born in captivity. But this has not happened yet.

Conclusion:

There is not a single documented evidence of the existence of black lions in nature or captivity, either in the past or in the present. All eyewitness accounts remain at the level of rumors and are not confirmed by anything.

All photos of a black lion found on the Internet are retouched and colored.

Leo is smart, strong and very dangerous predator, thunderstorm of deserts and savannas. Many of us associate this beautiful and proud animal with which it brings fear to everyone, but is not afraid of anyone. We are used to seeing these muscular big cats with red mane and golden fur, but in Lately appears more and more more photos with dark animals. looks unusual, so many people are interested: is it real beast or skillful work of photoshop?

Don't think that in natural environment In their habitats, there are only lionesses and lions with a reddish color, in savannas you can often find predators with the former mane and skin, there are also cats with beige hair, and Nature sometimes rewards animals with the most unimaginable colors and shades. All this is explained by genetic mutations. If there are leucists and albinos, then why can’t there be such a thing as a black lion?

Albinism is opposed to melanism, so it is likely that both white and dark animals can exist. Scientists different countries unanimously deny the fact that the black lion exists. In their opinion, this is impossible not at the genetic level, but in terms of survival. Mutation experts explain that dark-colored individuals did not survive during evolution, so now there is no hope that a dark lion cub will appear. Even if we assume that it is born in the wild, then most likely the animal will not survive.

The black lion suffers from impaired thermoregulation, has reduced immunity, and some difficulties arise when hunting. If an animal is born in captivity, then people will help it survive, but in its natural habitat it has practically no chance. Despite the fact that scientists have answered the question in detail, presenting their own point of view, many people still ask the question: “Do black lions exist?” and “Where can I see them?”

Cryptozoologists disagree with the researchers; they believe that dark individuals can still be found in the wild. In support of their point of view, there were reports from the African continent, namely from the area of ​​\u200b\u200bOkovango, and from Persia that black lions were seen there. Both territories have one similarity - they are covered with low-growing trees and shrubs. This landscape allows predators with dark fur to hide from the scorching sun and hide when hunting.

A whole pride of dark lions was found in Okovango, but they cannot be called black. They differ from ordinary ones in their dark brown color. Scientists do not recognize that this is a consequence of melanism, but agree on the idea of ​​inbreeding. This color stuck because predators live in the forest.

The black lion is a cryptozoologist's dream today. They believe that there are dark individuals in the African bush or savannah, but no one can find them yet. If a melanistic lion were found, it would be easier for researchers to study the evolution of the species. Scientists can only hope that the black miracle will one day be born in the zoo.

Lions, according to many people, are one of the most beautiful animals in the cat family. In most cases, a person associates the word “lion” with something strong, powerful, wise and noble. In nature, there are lions and lionesses, endowed by nature with a special color and coloration. In the savannahs you can find lions with white skin and mane. There are lions with blue eyes and skin and mane colors ranging from light beige to golden. All the variety of colors can be explained by mutations at the genetic level. White and golden lions are called albino and leucist. Scientists question everything about the existence of black lions on the planet.

Scientist Clark Tonge, who specializes in mutations among big cats, explained this theory of the existence of black lions by the fact that during the evolution of lions, dark-colored individuals did not survive and, therefore, the possibility of their existence in our time is unlikely. If a lion cub with black skin and mane is born in the wild, then in any case it is unlikely that it will survive, since processes such as weak immunity, impaired thermoregulation and difficulties encountered during hunting will contribute to its death. Biologists believe that a lion with black fur cannot survive in the wild. If such a lion is born in captivity, the likelihood that he will live is quite high. Despite all the statements of scientists, cryptozoologists believe that black lions can exist in nature. Some cryptozoologists are even confident in this. In Persia and Africa, residents stated that they had seen black lions.

The photo above is most likely photoshopped.

It is worth noting that science does not stand still, and manipulation of the DNA of lions, with a subsequent change in their color, is quite possible.