Marozi

thumb|350px|A pair of Marozis by William Rebesamen">thumb|350px|A pair of Marozis by William RebesamenThe Marozi or spotted lion is a feline cryptid from the mountainous regions of africa|Eastern Africa.

Description

Kenya's Aberdare Mountains are believed by local hunters as well as some western naturalists to harbor small, spotted, maneless lions that have managed to retain their juvenile spots throughout their lives instead of losing them when mature. Skins of the marozi have occasionally been obtained. One pair of skins - a male and female - received attention and interest from carnivore specialist Reginald Pocock at London's Natural History museum, where they are still preserved.

 Explanations 
Some sources state that the marozi is a lion/hyena crossbreed, but this is very unlikely as lions and hyenas have very different genetic make-ups and are natural rivals. Sceptics would often dismiss them as being freak specimens of the normal lion, however it's interesting to note that they have only been reported from shady mountainous areas, where their mottled coat, smaller body size, and absence of a mane in male lions would all be traits for a female predator here, aiding camouflage and movements in this particular terrain. Perhaps the lion has evolved a distinct montane version, specifically adapted to this habitat instead of the lion's typical savannah home. It is most likely that marozi sightings are hoaxes, but the existence of skins and skulls disproves this theory. Another theory is that they are lions with a genetic mutation that causes them not to lose their spots. Genetic mutations are rare in the wild, but they do happen.

Another theory is that the marozi is a new species and/or subspecies of big cat. The marozi will hopefully be added to the [http://cryptidz.wikia.com/wiki/Category%3AFormer_Cryptids former cryptids list] soon enough.

 Gallery 
<gallery>
Marozis, Rebsamen.jpg|A colored version of the painting
Marozi10.jpg|The Marozi skin
Maroziskin.jpg|From another view
</gallery>
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Category:Feline>Category:Feline
Category:Carnivore>Category:Carnivore
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