Lion vs Mulanje Cycad

Panthera leo compared with Encephalartos gratus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lion	Mulanje Cycad
Kingdom	Animalia (प्राणी)	Plantae (पादप)
Phylum	Chordata (रज्जुकी)	Tracheophyta
Class	Mammalia (स्तनधारी)	Cycadopsida (Cycadopsida)
Order	Carnivora (मांसाहारी गण)	Cycadales (Cycadales)
Family	Felidae (Cats)	Zamiaceae
Genus	Panthera (Big Cats)	Encephalartos
Species	Panthera leo	Encephalartos gratus

Conservation Status

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Mulanje Cycad

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lion	Mulanje Cycad
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.

Mulanje Cycad

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.