Could Leo be nalas dad?

[Akril]

That lioness is Sarafina, and there's no real doubt that she is Nala's mother. I don't think Snowy isn't postulating that Nala is the daughter of Mufasa and Sarabi, but that Simba and Nala have the same father (Mufasa) but different mothers: Sarabi is Simba's mother, Sarafina is Nala's mother.

[Azdgari]

Why is it so implausible that another lion was Nala's mother? And how would Mufasa betroth his children to one another? o.O

[Simba]

first off, Nala doesn't have ANY features of Mufasa or Scar (her eyes are blue as not green as TLK2 shows us, and even then Sarafina's eyes are green). plus, if Simba and Nala were brother and sister, Kiara would've been too inbred to survive. I know, I've seen some stuff from this one big cat rescue where they took in a bro and sis lion pair to be surprised by the lioness giving birth shortly afterwards. two of the cubs were born dead, and the other two died before they were weaned despite expert care. secondly, the dominant male mating with a related lioness is extremely rare in the wild. there's always a change in the reigning males every few years as nomads conquer the previous king(s), and young males leave the pride in the wild instead of living their lives out with their birth pride like Simba. and from one documentary I saw, the lions (male and female) seem to know when other lions are their cubs (most likely some sorta scent recognition).

as to the statement it IS unofficial. two people from the TLK production team were put on the spot with a question that no one seemed to have thought of. they had even said that Roger Allers could be her father lol. the fact of the matter is that the movie was focused on Simba and his family, not Nala or her family. Sarafina's name isn't even mentioned in the film, and for awhile most fans didn't even know she had a name. the creators of TLK simply didn't think about the question of who is Nala's father, so the only official film males shown were Scar and Mufasa. that doesn't mean that one of them IS her father (especially not Mufasa).

[quote="Akril"]Since Nala is nearly identical to her mother, her father could be virtually any male.[/quote]

actually, that's not quite so. there are a few major differences between Sarafina and Nala just like with Simba and Mufasa, they aren't identical. Sarafina's pelt and nose are darker, duller colors; her muzzle is short and has a structure like Kiara's; her neck is short; her head is more round on top; her ears are more round; she's not as scruffy; and she has a different eye color (even if you believe Nala has green eyes, they're a different shade). and since we don't see Sarafina's lower half in the movie, we can't be sure her tail tuft color. some books show her with a black tail tuft while others have brown like Nala. what she definitely does have in common with Nala: large eyes with a similar shape, brown eyebrows, similiar light build, and toes the same as the rest of her pelt.

so this gives us a little idea of what features Nala might've inherited from her family, such as her father. seeing as Leo/Mega has a light and warm colored pelt, a vivid pink nose, and a brown mane/tail tuft combo it would be reasonable. he also has brown eyebrows just like Sarafina and Nala (only really scruffy).

and who's to say that the person doing character designs wasn't intending to make this lion a little similar to Nala in coloration? perhaps they noticed nothing was mentioned of Nala's father and decided to create a character that could be possibility since they were getting to add extra characters.

[Nadra]

[quote="Simba"] plus, if Simba and Nala were brother and sister, Kiara would've been too inbred to survive. [/quote]
It depends on the situation. Kiara could've inherited "good genes" and no diseases. All pedigree cats are inbred (atleast to some extent) and not all of them suffer from inherited illnesses.

[quote="Simba"]
and who's to say that the person doing character designs wasn't intending to make this lion a little similar to Nala in coloration? perhaps they noticed nothing was mentioned of Nala's father and decided to create a character that could be possibility since they were getting to add extra characters.[/quote]
Hmm... That's true. But if Leo was meant to be Nala's father, it propably would've been mentioned in the book.

[Skittakallista]

I don't think that Leo (I think he is the one in the foreground of the illustration as he's laughing and the text says he is being rather mean to Kopa and Mega, the other lion is being more kind) is Nala's father as I think that he's from the same genaration as her. But as he looks like Nala, I think they're cousins.
Also, in the books Leo is saying that he wished he was in the royal family tree. If he was Nala's father he would be boasting about that.

[Simba]

[quote="Skittakallista"]I don't think that Leo (I think he is the one in the foreground of the illustration as he's laughing and the text says he is being rather mean to Kopa and Mega, the other lion is being more kind) is Nala's father as I think that he's from the same genaration as her. But as he looks like Nala, I think they're cousins.
Also, in the books Leo is saying that he wished he was in the royal family tree. If he was Nala's father he would be boasting about that.[/quote]

well, if you think that the lion in front is Mega instead (like me), then it makes more sense. but either way, the lion we're all looking at appears older than other adult lions we see in the TLK realm with his massive mane and wrinkly forehead. I think he's definitely related to Nala, with my opinion being he's her father. of course, he could always be an uncle, cousin, or whatever too.

[quote="Nadra"]It depends on the situation. Kiara could've inherited "good genes" and no diseases. All pedigree cats are inbred (atleast to some extent) and not all of them suffer from inherited illnesses.[/quote]

I know many species of animals are inbred to some extent. but it's how closely inbred that I was referring to. breeders don't breed littermates for that particular reason, as the kittens won't survive (and ones that are closely inbred that do survive are pretty much retarded). I've known a person who had 2 cats that were brother and sister and upon reaching maturity and only having each other mated, their kittens were dead at birth and quite a number hadn't developed right. I'm not so sure if it's genetic diseases that have to do with or if animals that are extremely closely related breed that it prevents proper DNA coding or something.

[quote="Nadra"]Hmm... That's true. But if Leo was meant to be Nala's father, it propably would've been mentioned in the book.[/quote]

unless the writers and designers weren't in communication (as is very likely true because of the Ahadi and Mega/Leo confusion lol). who knows lol

[Nadra]

[quote="Simba"]
[quote="Nadra"]It depends on the situation. Kiara could've inherited "good genes" and no diseases. All pedigree cats are inbred (atleast to some extent) and not all of them suffer from inherited illnesses.[/quote]

I know many species of animals are inbred to some extent. but it's how closely inbred that I was referring to. breeders don't breed littermates for that particular reason, as the kittens won't survive (and ones that are closely inbred that do survive are pretty much retarded). I've known a person who had 2 cats that were brother and sister and upon reaching maturity and only having each other mated, their kittens were dead at birth and quite a number hadn't developed right. I'm not so sure if it's genetic diseases that have to do with or if animals that are extremely closely related breed that it prevents proper DNA coding or something.[/quote]
Actually, they can breed closely related cats to each other (like father/daughter, mother/son, brother/sister etc.), but I think they must select healthy cats with good pedigree so that the kittens won't be "retarded".
Of course, if cats (or lions) only mated with their close relatives, the offspring would be more and more likely to have some serious health problems.

[quote="Simba"]
[quote="Nadra"]Hmm... That's true. But if Leo was meant to be Nala's father, it propably would've been mentioned in the book.[/quote]

unless the writers and designers weren't in communication (as is very likely true because of the Ahadi and Mega/Leo confusion lol). who knows lol[/quote]
Well, that's always possible...