What do male lions weigh?

Answer 1

The weight depends of geographic location, available prey, gender, age, and health.

It has been noted that lions of South Africa are frequently larger than those of East Africa, subject to differing prey selection.

In Kruger Park, the weights of 344 lions ages 4 and above were recorded. Males portrayed an average of 187.5 kg (413 lbs). During this study it was discovered that lions continued to increase in girth and acquired their full weight around age seven, after which point, they declined in mass. Thus the study reflects a mean based on growth fluctuation. Males in their prime averaged 196 kg (432 lbs). The largest lion in this study (Age 5) harbored a mass of 225 kg (496 lbs). Another male, age 10, weighed 206 kg (454 lbs.). Stomach contents were not included in the weights of the 344 Kruger big cats. Females were on average 63 kg smaller than their opposite gender companions.

In Rhodesia, male lions presented a mean of 193.3 kg (426.2 lbs), the largest of which was 215.9 kg (476 lbs). Kalahari males weigh an average of 188.4 kg (415.4 lbs), with the heaviest cat hitting the scales at 214 kg (471 lbs). The weights of 17 lions were recorded in Zimbabwe (5 males, 12 females) with a range of 105(f)-211(m) kg (231-465 lbs). 18 individuals weighed by Smithers and Wilson sustained an average of 202 kg (445 lbs).

Although some lions have been recorded at 250 kg (550 lbs) plus, the average for the South African lion appears to be 180-190 kg (400-420 lbs). In East Africa, males have the potential to attain masses seen in South African lions, but they average less, 174 kg (383 lbs), the bulkiest being 204 kg (449.7 lbs). This trend is also observed in the Asiatic lion, P. Leo persica. The reason for this contrast in mass, as cited by Turner, Smuts, Schaller, Mitra, etc... resides with the matter of available prey and habitat.

Some of the biggest lions ever recorded consist of a 272 kg (599 lbs) male cattle-eater from Kenya, a 313 kg (690 lbs) man-eater lion from Transvaal, a 264 kg (585 lbs) beast from S.A, and a 251 kg (553 lbs) male from Transvaal.

African lions grow much larger in captivity. The fabled 'Rutledge' weighed 365 kg (807 lbs). 'Simba', the largest lion in captivity recorded in history, weighed 375 kg (826 lbs).
Weights for adult African lions range between 150-250 kg for males and 120-182 kg for females. Females are much smaller than males both in size and weight.

Their Asian counterpart - the Asian Lion is smaller in size and weight when compared to the African lion.
Weights for adult African lions range between 150-250 kg for males and 120-182 kg for females. Females are much smaller than males both in size and weight.

Their Asian counterpart - the Asian Lion is smaller in size and weight when compared to the African lion.
It is about 181 kg. Some specimens can reach up to 260 kg, but these cases are rare and sometimes include the stomach content, which in a male lion could be up to 35 kg.