Maneless lions in Zira's Pride?

[Wereberess]

From left to right: Lioness 3,4,6 and 7

These were probably intended to be lionesses, but I see nothing feminine about them. Perhaps they are maneless lions that helped Zira fend off rogue male lions since Nuka was too weak and Kovu was too young? Maybe they're related to Zira? Her sons, but like Nuka hey were unhealthy thus lost(or were born without) their manes. Maybe her brothers? She was their older sister and since Sanaa(my version of Zira's mom) was dead and Amri(my version of Zira's dad) had been Driven off for killling her she raised them through Scar's reign and once they were seen as a threat they were exiled. Once Simba came back, he exiles Zira and she finds her brother's in the outlands. They have started a pride of their own but have no real leadership skills so apoint her as the leader since she raised them and was once Scar's queen.

This could be debated over as their chest fur extends to their muzzles but males have been known to have this. Example: Tojo. Their whiskers are gone but some males in the TLK unvirse have been seen with all the male traits except whiskers. (See the comic: An unusual choir)

Also, they have nose bridges similar to Nuka's. One of them may have fathered Nuka? And they are bigger than the lionesses around them. Their eyeshades are dark and Scar shaped. Maybe Zira's earlier sons from Scar?

[Mike]

I think it's far more likely that these are female outlanders that just have mud obscuring their features or something. It's much more likely that they're females than maneless males, especially if you take into account TLK's unfailing consistency with male manes.

[QueenRalexia]

I agree with Mike they are probably lionesses

[thanigraphics]

Those are, indeed, lionesses. There was nothing female about Vitani as wel, wasn't there? They had to look though because they're the evil ones. Even Zira had a rough voice, to make her sound evil and though.

[Panda-chan]

And not to sound sexist but it's usually male lions that rule over the females, not the other way round. The only reason Zira is the leader of the Outlanders is because there are no other fully grown males able to challenge her power (except Kovu and Nuka but they're her sons). Therefore, these lions cannot be male.

[Wereberess]

[quote="Mike"]I think it's far more likely that these are female outlanders that just have mud obscuring their features or something. It's much more likely that they're females than maneless males, especially if you take into account TLK's unfailing consistency with male manes.[/quote]

I know, hence why I said Disney intended for them as lionesses by viewers.

They just look far more outlander than the other lionesses and they are way more scrufy with longer maws. This led me to believe(even though disney didn't intend it to be so) hey are maneless males.

[Wereberess]

[quote="thanigraphics"]Those are, indeed, lionesses. There was nothing female about Vitani as wel, wasn't there? They had to look though because they're the evil ones. Even Zira had a rough voice, to make her sound evil and though.[/quote]

Yes there was. She didn't have a mane. Her tail tuft was brown like all the other lionesses and her eyes were more of an oval shape opposed to the triangular or circular shape of a lion. (Simba,Kovu, Scar, ect.)

But those for look tougher than Kovu. And i'm sure Zira's goal was to make Kovu the toughest in the pride, besides herself. How would he look not being able to defeat a lioness and having to go up against a lion bigger than himself?

[Wereberess]

[quote="Amanda"]And not to sound sexist but it's usually male lions that rule over the females, not the other way round. The only reason Zira is the leader of the Outlanders is because there are no other fully grown males able to challenge her power (except Kovu and Nuka but they're her sons). Therefore, these lions cannot be male.[/quote]

Not sexist. Factual.

Even if they ARE her sons they would've still been the leaders and defenders. That's how it works in real life. If the current male is usurped and the female is pregnant with his cubs she and maybe a few of her daughters will come with her when she leaves as the new ruler(s) will kill the newborn cubs. If their lucky her sons will grow up to rule the pride since theres no father to banish them.

Also Zira had a job to do, murder Simba. Plus everyone in the pride feared or respected her enough to not challenge her.

[Mike]

[quote="Wereberess"][quote="Mike"]I think it's far more likely that these are female outlanders that just have mud obscuring their features or something. It's much more likely that they're females than maneless males, especially if you take into account TLK's unfailing consistency with male manes.[/quote]

I know, hence why I said Disney intended for them as lionesses by viewers.

They just look far more outlander than the other lionesses and they are way more scrufy with longer maws. This led me to believe(even though disney didn't intend it to be so) hey are maneless males.[/quote]
Sorry, I'm not sure quite what you mean here. Do you mean that you believe that these are maneless males even though you know that Disney intends for them to be females? Or do you mean that you would believe they were maneless males except for the fact that you know that in Disney cannon they are females?

[KopsTheTerminator]

They're lionesses. Because Simba would NEVER accept a pride of MALE lions.