Trivia question for Mar-30-2011

Since it is Olivia’s turn, she decided to do something honoring cats (even if it is a big cat).  You see, we just lost one of our oldest cats (house cat) and Olivia wants everyone to know how special they are, so lets see how you do with this one.

The Asiatic lions once ranged from the Mediterranean to the north-eastern parts of the Indian subcontinent, but excessive hunting, water pollution and decline in natural prey reduced their habitat.

So here are Olivia’s questions:  The Asiatic lion is one of the five major big cats found in India, tell us what the other four. Also tell us how many Asiatic lions are estimated to be in the Gir Forest Sanctuary in North western India and how you can tell the difference between these lions and African lions?

Good Luck 😉

P.S. Olivia asked if you could say a prayer for her cat ‘Ribs’.  Thank you.

Answer:

Congratulations to John for not only being the first to respond, but for getting all the answers correct.  Great job.  The Asiatic Lion is one of the five major big cats found in India, the others being the Bengal tiger, the Indian leopard, the Snow leopard and Clouded leopard. The Asiatic lions once ranged from the Mediterranean to the north-eastern parts of the Indian subcontinent, but excessive hunting, water pollution and decline in natural prey reduced their habitat.

The Gir Forest National Park of western India has about 411 lions (as of April 2010) which live in a 558 square mile sanctuary covered with scrub and open deciduous forest habitats. The population in 1907 was believed to consist of only 13 lions when the Nawab of Junagadh gave them complete protection. This figure however is highly controversial because the first census of lions in the Gir that was conducted in 1936 yielded a result of 234 animals.

Asiatic lions are smaller and lighter than their African counterparts, but are equally aggressive. The main way to tell them apart is by their main. African lions have larger manes while Asiatic lions have a distinctive fold of skin along its belly. They also live in smaller, looser prides.  Here is more on these rare lions:  Asiatic Lion

Thanks for playing along 😉

We also want to thank everyone who sent Olivia the kind messages consoling her after the loss of our cat.  You guys are the best 😉