The lion, Panthera leo, is the second-largest cat species on Earth, surpassed in mass only by the tiger. This powerful predator exhibits a dramatic range in size and weight across individuals. Understanding the typical mass of a lion requires acknowledging that weight is not a fixed number but a variable that depends significantly on a lion’s sex, geographical origin, age, and environment.
Standard Weight Ranges by Sex
Sexual dimorphism, the visible physical difference between males and females of a species, is especially pronounced in lions, where sex is the primary determinant of mass. Adult male African lions typically weigh between 150 and 250 kilograms (330 to 550 pounds). This weight range establishes them as the larger and heavier sex, a necessity for defending the pride and territory.
Adult female lionesses, the primary hunters within the pride, are significantly smaller than the males. A mature lioness generally weighs between 110 and 181 kilograms (270 to 400 pounds). This difference means that males are often 30 to 50 percent heavier than their female counterparts, a disparity largely attributable to a more robust bone structure and dense musculature.
Subspecies and Geographical Variation
The classification of a lion by subspecies and its geographical habitat introduces further variation in body mass. African lions, particularly those in the southern regions, such as the Transvaal or South African lions, tend toward the heavier end of the species’ weight spectrum. These populations have historically been documented to contain the largest individuals in the wild.
In contrast, the critically endangered Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) exhibits a considerably smaller frame due to inherent genetic differences. Male Asiatic lions typically weigh between 160 and 190 kilograms, while females usually fall between 110 and 120 kilograms. This size difference reflects adaptation to a different prey base and environment in the Gir National Park in India, where the population is now restricted.
Factors Influencing Maximum Mass
While standard ranges define the average lion, several external and developmental factors push certain individuals toward the maximum recorded weights. Age plays a direct role, as a lion’s mass continues to increase past sexual maturity, with the heaviest individuals being older, fully mature males. Consistent access to abundant prey and overall health also allow a lion to maintain maximum bulk.
The environment significantly impacts a lion’s potential mass, with a notable difference observed between wild and captive populations. Lions in captivity often achieve a higher average weight due to a consistent, high-quality diet and the absence of energy expenditure from territorial defense and hunting. The largest verifiable record weights, such as a male lion weighing approximately 375 kilograms (825 pounds), often come from captive environments.