lion question

pugs · Feb 20, 2011

Went out today chasing cats. Got lucky and found a track after it had just quit snowing. After a fun filled chase we were standing under a tree surrounded by a pack of barking hounds. A large female was in the tree. After a few minutes it was noticed that she did not have a tooth left in her mouth. You could see a few littli white specks here and there when she was snarling at us her canines were wore down to her gums. I have lion hunted with hounds for over 20 years and can honestly say I have never saw a cat this old. I have treed many a lion that have had worn looking teeth but nothing like this. Any guesses on how old this cat could be. How long can a lion live? In the next few days when I get the pictures off pf my camera I will post one in the tree zoomed in with her mouth open showing the teeth or lack thereof.

Happy hunting

Kevin D · Feb 20, 2011

Back when we had a few lion around here there used to be an old female that we ran on occaision. She was distinct because like the lion you treed, her canines were flat at the gum line. Eventually an outfitter showed up and killed her. From what I was told, they aged her into the 20's.

I kinda miss the old girl. I watched her raise several litters of kittens plus she was a good pup trainer because she would always stay low in the tree. Male or female, it's rare to see a cat over 3 years old anymore.

pugs · Feb 21, 2011

Here are a couple photo's of the old gal. It is nice there are a few old timers still wandering the hills. I am sure the only reason this gal is still alive is because we have had the hunting rights secured on this property since the mid 80's

Happy Hunting!