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2007-01-05 10:06:03 · 3 answers · asked by DaRkAngeL XIII 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The above answer is wrong. The mane does not protect against other lion attacks, as the lion generally attacks from the rear and flanks. The mane is been shown to be a sexual selection growth. They shore the main from dominate lions, who were mated in a pride. The result showed clearly that manes, and their length/condition is a female preference in lions. It may have something to do with pride living vs solitary living for the other cats, but it just may be variations in sexual selection markers, too.
2007-01-05 11:23:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because cougars/mountain lions are solitary animals and african lions are social animals. Part of the function of a mane is to protect the neck/throat area when fighting for control of a pride of females which can occurr frequently. The only time that cougars/mountain lions fight over females is mating season.
2007-01-05 10:17:24 · answer #2 · answered by fat_albert_999 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cougars live in a colder climate (with less biting bugs), but African male lions live in a warmer climate, so their manes protect them partially from bugs. African male lions also need to defend their territory from rival males, the mane make them look larger and scarier, if a fight occurs and he loses, he has nowhere to go. Where as a male cougar's territory may overlap that of a few females, so if another male chases him out, he has somewhere to go.
2007-01-05 12:17:00 · answer #3 · answered by bostet7 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋