white lion

Leucistic African cat

A white lion is a lion with a rare genetic condition that reduces pigmentation, resulting in pale cream to white fur.

White lions are not albinos—they typically have normal eye color.

Found occasionally in the wild in South Africa's Timbavati region, they're more common in captivity: The zoo's white lion cubs drew huge crowds.

The coloration comes from a recessive gene, so two normally colored lions can produce white offspring.

Related

rare · safari · South Africa · majestic · cubs · savanna · pale · ghost · golden · eyes · Africa · endangered · wildlife conservation · regal · Narnia · Aslan · spirit · spirit animal

Categories
Opposites
coloration/pigmentation

white lionblack panther

Pigment-darkened large cat

golden lion · black wolf · black cat · shadow creature · raven

Family

white, lion, whiter, whitest, whiten, whitened, whitening, whiteness, whites

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G