Lion vs Plain Smudge

Panthera leo compared with Ypsolopha lucella

Key Differences

• Lion is Vulnerable while Plain Smudge is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lion	Plain Smudge
Kingdom same	Animalia (حيوانات)	Animalia (حيوانات)
Phylum	Chordata (حبليات)	Arthropoda (مفصليات الأرجل)
Class	Mammalia (ثدييات)	Insecta (حشرات)
Order	Carnivora (لواحم)	Lepidoptera (حرشفيات الأجنحة)
Family	Felidae (Cats)	Ypsolophidae
Genus	Panthera (Big Cats)	Ypsolopha
Species	Panthera leo	Ypsolopha lucella

Evolutionary Relationship

Lion and Plain Smudge share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (حيوانات)

Conservation Status

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Plain Smudge

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lion	Plain Smudge
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	15 years	—
Average Length	2.5 m	—
Average Weight	190.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lion

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Plain Smudge

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Lion

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.