Mane is long, thick, coarse hair that grows from the neck’s crest along the top and sides of certain mammals like a horse or male lions. Usually, when we say mane, it means a lot of hair around the neck and the head. Many people think lions are the only animals with manes, but that is not true. Although they’re the most popular animals with manes, other animals also have manes.
Mane is found only on the few selected species making them look truly majestic. Long hair indicates the animal’s general health, including its sexual maturity.
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In this article, we have listed down 13 animals with manes that are a spectacle to watch.
Contents
13 Amazing Animals With Manes
1. Male Lions (Panthera leo)
We only find mane in male lions, and it is the most identifiable characteristic of male lions. Mane starts developing in Lions when they sexually mature; surprisingly, it grows faster with more fighting success. Manes may also protect their neck and head from injuries during fights.
It is believed by scientists that it’s closely connected to testosterone levels. A fuller mane is a sign of a healthier animal. Male lions grow impressive manes with ages, up to 16cm long and signify dominance. The older they become, the darker their manes go. Female lions prefer males with more developed manes.
2. Lion-tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus)
The lion-tailed macaque is an old-world monkey species in South India and the only monkey with a mane. They’re mostly dark. However, a gray mane around their faces is common in males and females. Lion-tailed macaques start growing their manes when they are just two months old.
However, they are calledLion-tailed, obviouslynotfortheir mane, but for another similarity with a lion’s tail, which has a tuft at the tip.
3. Zebras (Hippotigris)
These striped animals develop erect manes alongside the top of the neck. The purpose could be more precise, supposing that part of their body is defenseless. For example, if a predator tries to bite the bottom of its neck, a zebra could swing its head to fight back. But if predators try to bite the top of the neck, the mane on top may repel a predator from biting the top of its neck.
The question may arise as to why they did not grow a mane around their neck then. That is because Zebras need to keep their neck cool during runs, and if they had a thick patch of hair on their necks, they’d quickly overheat.
4. Wild Horses (Equus ferus)
The mane in wild horses often grows much longer than in zebras. It grows thicker and coarser than the rest of the horse’s coat and naturally extends to cover the neck roughly.
Manes on horses offer protection from insects like the tail, but they’re primarily present as a line of defense from predators.
Mane could help with cold weather but with less protection than thick fur. The mane is also seen in domesticated horses but has yet to devolve.
5. Wildebeests (Connochaetes)
Wildebeest derives its name from the ancient Greek word for mane! Mane of different types is found in wildebeests. For example, the black wildebeest is brown and have a slightly lighter mohawk-like mane. On the other hand, the blue wildebeest is almost black, and their mane is also black.
Males and females both develop manes the same as all other African animals.
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6. Giraffes (Giraffa)
Giraffes are the biggest animals with manes and have the longest manes of all animals. Giraffe manes run alongside the entire neck, serving the same purpose as zebras and wildebeest.
Giraffes developed incredibly long necks. Factually, there are no predators in the natural environment of a giraffe that could climb and bite the back of its neck. However, their manes do not help when deterring predators. Giraffes often swing their necks and their heads when they have to defend themselves.
7. Maned Sloths (Bradypus torquatus)
These mammals with manes are native to Brazil and are found on the East Coast. Maned sloths develop a black mane running down their necks and shoulders. Males usually have longer manes than females.
They generally have a thick coat of hair on their bodies of the same shade as the trees around them, which helps them to blend in with the environment easily.
A full mane is a sign of sexual maturity in the case of this species. Since females are generally larger than males, males must develop a thick mane to appear bigger and healthier.
8. Roan Antelopes (Hippotragus equinus)
Roan Antelopes with manes develop short and erect manes, like wildebeest. They extend from the back of the neck to the shoulder blades.
The antelopes are usually brown, but the mane can be brown, grey, or black. In addition, the mane in these animals is noticeably longer than zebra manes, offering more protection from predators.
9. Sable Antelopes (Hippotragus niger)
Sable antelopes are animals with two manes, one of the very few species found. They have an erect mane on the neck, identical to the mane of Roan antelopes, and in addition, they have a short mane on the throat. These antelopes are mostly black. Both sexes develop manes and horns.
Even though the throat mane’s purpose is to protect the animal from throat bites, the case of these animals is largely unsuccessful.
10. Domesticated and Wild Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus ferus)
Domesticated and Wild Bactrian Camels are two very closely related species, and they’re animals with manes as long as up to 10 inches! There may be a lion out there with a longer mane, but it’s yet to be found.
Wild Bactrian camels are critically endangered species and usually develop shorter manes than their domesticated cousins.
The mane on the neck of the camel is to help keep the neck warm during harsh Mongolian winters, the original home of the camels. However, depending on the thickness, it can also serve as protection from predators.
11. Maned Wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
The reason behind including them on our list is a distinctive black mane on the top of their neck. These wolves use their mane to make themselves look more prominent and intimidate predators than other wolves.
There is a similarity between South American animals and foxes, as they develop an auburn color with a few white patches often on the tail and a black mane.
12. Maine Coons Cat (Felis catus)
Mane is one of the key features used to identify a cat from the Maine Coon breed. This longer ruff around a Maine Coons neck is one of the breed’s defining and distinguishable traits and gives this cat breed an incredibly regal and impressive look.
All adult female Maine Coons should have a visible mane. Maine Coon cats develop longer fur around the neck and chest. It starts to grow when the kitten is about nine months old and becomes more distinctive in the winter to protect cats from cold.
When the mane grows, many people remark that Maine Coons look like mini lions because the fur around your Maine Coon’s neck and chest will appear longer, lighter, and fluffier, giving the cat a regal lion-like look.
13. Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
The final animal on our list is Lion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) which is recognized for its showy, trailing tentacles, similar to a lion’s mane. They can vary significantly in size: although capable of attaining a bell diameter of over 2 m (6 ft 7 in), those found in lower latitudes are much smaller than their far northern counterparts, with a bell about 50 cm (20 in) in diameter. Consequently, larger specimens are typically further offshore than smaller ones.
Manes in adults are red and start to darken as they grow older. Juveniles are lighter orange or tan, and young lion’s manes are occasionally colorless.
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Conclusion
Mane is indispensable in giving animals a majestic look. However, the mane is not only for show. Fully developed manes indicate their health as well as maturity.
In addition, the mane is supposed to keep the neck warm and help water run off the neck if the animal cannot obtain shelter from the rain. It also protects against predators and insect bites, of course, after the tail.
