Lion 052
Lion 053
Lion 051
B&W 014 - Watching you watching me. . . Subadult male at night, Tsavo, Kenya
Individuals can be recognized from the series of black spots on their muzzles where the whiskers emerge - the pattern differs on either side of the face and is unique to each lion, but you need to be quite close to distinguish them. It’s also easier in profile rather than head on! Nose pigmentation is a useful guide to estimating age - dark spots develop on the pink nose as the cat matures - these turn in to patches with age and the nose is completely black in old individuals. Body size and mane development in males are more obvious indicators of age in younger animals and require less scrutiny!
Lion 042
Lion 035
Lion 037
Lion 040
Lion 044
Lion 052
Lion 052
Lion 052
See photo in original gallery.
All images © Tim Allen-Rowlandson - Wildlife Reflecftions