Posted on 03/04/2018 3:06:22 PM PST by nickcarraway
A curious case is puzzling veterinarians at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
Bridget, the zoo’s 18-year-old African lioness, has sprouted a mane- a feature typically only seen in male lions starting when they are around one year old, caused by increased testosterone hormone.
The Oklahoma City Zoo is also home to a male lion, six-year-old Hubert who has a robust, dark mane and Tia, Bridget’s 18-year-old sister, who remains mane-less. Bridget’s mane growth occurred between March and November 2017, according to a zoo blog post.
While female lions growing manes is rare, it’s not unheard of, the post said.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan vet advisor Dr. Mike Briggs spotted a female lion in Africa with a mane similar in appearance to Bridget’s.
In 2011, a 13-year-old lioness at the National Zoo in South Africa began developing a mane. An issue with her ovaries resulted in excess testosterone production and once that was resolved, the mane receded.
A group of five lionesses in the wilderness of Botswana were observed with manes in 2014.
“Because these lions came from the same pride and developed the manes at a young age, researchers believe a genetic component in this population resulted in this characteristic,” the post said.
Veterinary staff successfully obtained a blood sample from Bridget last week and are currently awaiting results.
“Aside from a natural genetic component, another potential condition causing the mane growth could be a benign tumor located on her adrenal or pituitary gland as these regulate hormones like testosterone,” the post said.
Other than the extra hair, zookeepers say they see no change in her heath status.
nice Lioness thinks Obama and his TransgenderBenders are still in power.
Someone please give her a newspaper
will male lions mate with this Lioness if she grows a mane?
I’ve been watching at the local watering hole and all of the genuine male people won’t pick up on any of the modern-day “females with beards”
I’ve seen clams with beards.
They are transgender lions.
Okaaaayyyy......
I have a little female tuxedo cat with a mane.
I have to comb it for her because if gets in her mouth when she baths.
Her name is Cutie.
We have to little tuxedo cats, a brother and sister act. They’re always dressed up but always playing the fool.
I wonder who is putting what in its food?
So essentially this animal has the animal version of PCOS, a disease that human women get.
Where are they getting the meat they feed her? Any of it raised with hormonal boosts?
My grandmother started to grow a mustache.
Have her drink spearmint tea.
Is that good with vodka in it? She mostly drinks vodka. :)
Larry: “Oh they turned blue. On the day I got my tooth I had to kiss my
Great Aunt Ruth. She had a beard ... and it felt weird.”
Archibald: “My, my. She had a beard and it felt weird?”
I’ve seen women with enough facial hair that they need to shave.
So now we have transgendered lions to deal with? This world is really messed up.
Cutie has a sister - Rusty is all black with a red glow in the sunshine. She is still feral, won’t let me touch her. But, she sneaks into the bedroom where Buster sleeps. He is gray and white and fluffy. Rusty is in love with Buster.
I haven’t found anything yet that is not good with vodka in it.
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