Lion vs Perennial teosinte

Panthera leo compared with Zea perennis

Key Differences

• Lion is Vulnerable while Perennial teosinte is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lion	Perennial teosinte
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Liliopsida (Monocots)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Poales (Grasses)
Family	Felidae (Cats)	Poaceae (Grass Family)
Genus	Panthera (Big Cats)	Zea
Species	Panthera leo	Zea perennis

Conservation Status

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Perennial teosinte

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lion	Perennial teosinte
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.

Perennial teosinte

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, wetlands, forests, and cultivated landscapes.

Range

Found in United States. Currently classified as Critically 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.