Buckles Blog: Pablo Noel #7

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

17, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Wade G. Burck said...: Henry,
In reference to the castrated "lioness" that anonymous comment on above, a number of these animals appear to be castrated males.
Wade Burck; 10 December, 2008 12:38
klsdad said...: Mr. Burke (Wade)-

Re castrated male lions -

Are the manes shaved, or does the castration keep them from growing?

klsdad; 13 December, 2008 11:49
Wade G. Burck said...: Klsdad,
Manes develop at the onset or start of sexual maturity, with the increase of male hormone/androgen production. If castrated after sexual maturity the mane falls out. If castrated before sexual maturity the mane never develops. The phenomena only occurs with lions and no other felines.
Studies have also shown that chronically dominated male lions manes will "thin" or they may lose their manes or not develop them at all if the domination is sibling/pride initiated at an early sexually immature stage.
To be safe, 99% of all "giant" female lions are in actuality castrated males.
Wade Burck; 13 December, 2008 13:44
klsdad said...: Mr Burck..

Many thanks for the information!! Very interesting.

klsdad; 13 December, 2008 15:35

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