Caterpillar Fungus vs Afrikanischer Löwe

Ophiocordyceps sinensis compared with Panthera leo

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Caterpillar Fungus	Afrikanischer Löwe
Kingdom	Fungi (Pilze)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Ascomycota (Schlauchpilze)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class	Sordariomycetes (Sordariomycetes)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Hypocreales (Krustenkugelpilzartige)	Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family	Ophiocordycipitaceae	Felidae (Cats)
Genus	Ophiocordyceps	Panthera (Big Cats)
Species	Ophiocordyceps sinensis	Panthera leo

Conservation Status

Caterpillar Fungus

VU — Vulnerable

Afrikanischer Löwe

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Caterpillar Fungus	Afrikanischer Löwe
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	15 years
Average Length	—	2.5 m
Average Weight	—	190.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Caterpillar Fungus

Afrikanischer Löwe

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.

Caterpillar Fungus

The Caterpillar Fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is a species in the genus Ophiocordyceps. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Afrikanischer Löwe

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.