Ladies - if you like your men tall, dark, and handsome, you and lionesses have something in common. In a recent video, National Geographic explains that lionesses find males with dark manes sexy.
But the preference for thick, black manes isn't really about aesthetics. "Lions actually have to be in really good physical condition to produce that dark hair on the mane. And males that are not quite so healthy produce a blonder mane." Craig Packer told National Geographic.
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A black mane indicates to a female that he is healthy, and has high testosterone levels. So when it comes time to choose the mate that is going to be the healthiest, fittest, and strongest when it comes to protecting their young - a lioness is sure to inspect her suitor's mane. "The female lion is preferring the male that is going to be the better, more successful father."
Parker's research also shows that the dark manes help lions ward off other males - showing them that he is in his prime. Another interesting bit of research shows that a lion's dark mane can change - turning blonder when ill, and then darker after he's recovered.
Check out the quick, fun and informational video below that dives deeper into why female lions adore a male with a dark mane.
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