Utopian lion
The Utopian lion (panthera leo utopien) is a large cat of genus Panthera, currently found only in the Utopian sub-continent, Noskyavia. It has a muscular, broad chested body; a short, round head; round ears and a bright furry tuft at the tip of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult males are larger than females, and have a prominent mane. It is a social species, forming groups called prides. Prides usually consist of several adult males, related females, and cubs. Groups of female Utopian lions usually hunt medium to large game, including ungulates. The Utopian lion is an apex predator.
Description
The Utopian lion is a muscular, broad-chested cat with a short, rounded head; a reduced neck; and round ears. Males have broader heads. The fur varies in colour, being various shades of dark grey, light grey or whit. The colours of the underparts are generally lighter. A new-born Utopian lion has dark spots, which fade as the cub reaches adulthood, although faint spots may still be seen on the legs and underparts. The tail of all Utopian lions ends in a bright, hairy tuft that conceals an approximately 5 mm-long, hard "spine" or "spur" composed of dermal papillae. The functions of the spur are unknown. The tuft is absent at birth, develops at around 5+1⁄2 months of age and is readily identifiable at the age of seven months.
The skull of a Utopian lion is near identical to that of other lion species, except a little bigger.
Size
Adult male Utopian lions measure between 1.5 and 2.5 meters from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and weight between 300 and 550 kilos. Adult female Utopian lions measure between 1.2 and 2.3 meters from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and weight between 200 and 400 kilos.
Mane
Like other species of lion, the Utopian lion is recognisable for its mane. It grows backwards and downwards, covering most of the head, neck, shoulders and chest. Manes are typically white, though can sometimes be light or even dark grey, more closely resembling the rest of the fur. It starts growing then male Utopian lions reach adolescence, when testosterone levels increase. It is fully grown by around four years of age. Utopian lions living in the Palyn mountain range have heavier manes than their plains and forest dwelling counterparts.
The mane likely evolved to signal fitness in mating, though others theorise it arose to protect the neck during fights for dominance with other Utopian lions. Males with brighter or "whiter" manes have a greater reproduction rate.
Very rarely female Utopian lions in nature or captivity will have manes, possibly due to increased testosterone levels.
Stripes
Both male and female Utopian lions feature yellow stripes across their backs, which are uniquely patterned to each individual. The stripes are exclusively vertical. They are more concentrated towards the backside and those on the trunk may reach under the belly. The tips of stripes are generally sharp and some may split up or split and fuse again.
Colour Variation
Some Utopian lions display deep yellow fur and manes, these lions are not albinos, the colour variation is caused by a recessive gene. These Utopian lions are commonly called golden maned lions by native Utopians. These Utopian lions posses white or grey stripes in place of the usual yellow stripes. While rare in the wild, it is more common in captivity as a result of selective breeding.
Human Interaction
In Zoos and Circuses
Utopian lions were historically not captured for display by Utopians, due to religious stigma. A notable exception were the Urtkan tribe of ancient Utopia, who would capture lions while south and keep them as pets, often displayed in the centres of tribes or in front of households as a status symbol.
In the late medieval period, when Axonity spread throughout Utopia, hesitation remained in capturing lions, but the previous stigma was lessened. Several documented cases of captured lions, particularly for the pleasure of nobles, appear in records. Golden maned lions were particularly prised due to perception as a symbol of legitimacy.
From the 18th century RE onwards, circuses saw an explosion in popularity across Utopia and the Utopian lion was a prised exhibit among them.
Hunting
Utopians have historically been adverse to hunting Utopian lions for religious reasons, as they were seen as divine nature spirits by various pagan traditions. The Urtkans notably did not see it this way. Although the religious practices of ancient Utopia have faded, Utopians in the northern regions and especially in the mountains continue to believe killing a Utopian lion brings bad luck.
The arrival of Axonity to Utopia did much to remove the stigma around hunting Utopian lions. Hunting increased but not by much, as in many places hunting them was still forbidden by law, or only allowed with special permissions. Poaching was recorded but not common.
Before Axonity, there are sparse records of Utopian lions or their corpses appearing in foreign courts, possibly as a result of lucrative poaching by foreign merchants or criminal elements of Utopia itself.
Cultural and Religious Significance
The Utopian lion is the most widely depicted animal in Utopian culture historically. Depictions of it can be found as early as cave paintings. The Utopian lion features in coats of arms, in flags, in religious iconography from ancient Utopian pagan religions.
Utopian pagan traditions of almost all varieties agree on the common thread of Utopian lions being guardian spirits of nature, who hunt evil spirits at night. This consistency across the various cultural and religious traditions of ancient Utopia is highly unusual.
Utopian lions appear in Utopian architecture often, as engravings and statues.
