African Lionesses (Panthera leo ssp.)

From left to right, the lionesses in order are, as listed:

(0.1) Neema (Hubert x Dunia)
(0.1) Zahara (Hubert x Dunia)

@Austin the Sengi How have you been able to identify them? I struggle with that

@SpiritStreal, some of the ways I’ve been to tell these two apart is by listing the following:

Neema > is smaller in size (relatively), has a rounder face (compared to her sister).

Zahara > has a longer muzzle, rounder ears, and a darker coat (compared to her sister).

As the two mature, more differences will appear as the years go on; but for now, that’s just the extent of their physical differences.

@Austin the Sengi Do you have an image to share that shows those differences clearly?
Honestly the most I got out of people that works the safaris is this.
Neema: likes being higher up. More refined more angular face

Zahara: Hangs with Mshango. Chunkier face

@SpiritStreal, I do not have an updated image of the lionesses to share at this time (it’s been too hot for them to properly show themselves).

However, the descriptions you’ve provided should summarize the differences enough. I am also planning to track them, via, their whisker-spots; so eventually (when I get around to it), that will be useful as well.

@Austin the Sengi How would you track them via whisker spots? Count each one?

@SpiritStreal, that and how each spot is arranged per side. A similar method is frequently used by field researchers in some parts of Africa; hence, why I adopted such a technique.

@Austin the Sengi Oh that’s rather unique. Just need a good camera for it and a really nice zoom lens, mine only goes to 300mm. I think the only photos that definitively show them are the ones released by Disney in their blog, but those are a bit too compressed to see things clearly. I do have a photo of one of the girls up on the Kopje rocks though.

@SpiritStreal, once you able to upload that photo as a well-known member (a feature to prevent new members from spamming media content). It would be fun for me to identify which lioness you’ve captured in said image.

@Austin the Sengi Yeah, definitely