The Snow Lion
The beasts of the North
Snow Lions are large cats similar in appearance to lions in our world. However snow lions are exceptionally larger in size, the only cat larger than it is the sabre tooth tiger. Snow Lions are also the largest pack hunters in the world taking down woolly mammoths regularly.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Four powerful limbs and sharp feline teeth. Retractable claws and a powerful muscular build. Males have manes.
Genetics and Reproduction
Snow Lion prides are similar to normal lion prides. Each pride has a male leader who reproduces with the females. Whenever lions reach sexual maturity they must go off and leave the pride they were born into. Female snow lions can get accepted into a new pride or the sister lions can ban together and search for a male. Male lions must go and either take over another pride by killing its male or find a sister pride looking for a male.
Growth Rate & Stages
Snow Lions are almost completely defenseless until they are about 3 months old when they don't need their mothers milk anymore. At about 2 years old they become adults.
Ecology and Habitats
Snowy tundras
Dietary Needs and Habits
Carnivores, mainly preys on elk and moose. However they are also commonly found hunting woolly rhinos and even mammoths.
Behaviour
Females are much less aggressive and will only attack humans when she feels that they threaten their cubs. Males however see everything as a threat and often kill one another. The only animals that can take down a male snow lion are cave bears, mammoths, and sabre tooth tigers. As well as humans.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Males are much bigger than females and usually rule over a pride. Male snow lions usually fight to the death for control of a pride and mate with the females of their pride. It has even been known for super prides to form. A male who already has a pride actively searches for other prides and challenges their males eventually the pride consists of 20 to 30 females.
Domestication
All attempts of domestication have failed. That being said, the noble house MacRath of Vedana take the Snow Lion (which is native to their kingdom) as their sigil.
Facial characteristics
Males sport a large mane
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
They have an advanced sense of smell and hearing however they are color blind.
Origin/Ancestry
Big Cat
Lifespan
10 to 12 years
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Snow lions have a lighter colored coat than normal lions. With some being a pale white to a snowy white coat.
