Alternate use debate : Schleich 14374 Young Lion as an adult Asiatic lion ?

Hi there,

As explained on my addition topic, I recently bought the young lion from Schleich, a quite “meh” model which, unlike the lying lioness, had never been my priority but I got a chance to get for a very fair price. Having already the Papo young maneless specimen, I always thought that, if I ever managed to put my hands on it, I would try to use the Schleich maned counterpart as an Asiatic lion rather than just adding one more member to the already quite populated African pride. Today, I create this topic to explain why this model is, according to me, a “not so bad” candidate to portray the Asiatic subspecies in a collection.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Some people here think that it's absurd to give so much importance to the subspecies of well-known popular animals like big cats while we don't even make the distinction between certain obscure species. However, the Asiatic lion is a quite particular case. Because it's the Asian subspecies of an animal more strongly associated to Africa than any and because it shows quite a different general look. That's why it might be interesting to have it represented in one's collection.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Basically, there are five criterias to tell it apart from the African brother :
- Smaller size
- Thinner mane
- More visible ears
- Prominent fold of skin running along the belly
- Darker, furrier end of the tail

In my opinion, the three first criterias are more than matched by Schleich's young lion. The tail is easy to fix with painting. Only the belly fold, yet the most distinguishable and objective criteria, is missing. But it still shows a “little something” older male models lack if I remember well (unfortunately I don't have them with me so I am unable to check it).
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's why I believe that, despite it may not be the absolute perfect rendition of the subspecies, this is in no way more absurd to use this young African lion as an adult Asiatic one than using a baby nile crocodile as an adult spectacled caïman for example

What is your opinion ?

A really interesting and informative post!

Actually, use a Nile crocodile as a spectacled caiman would be equivalent to use a lion as a walrus different families on the same order!

And yes, this figure matches very nicely as the Asian morphotipe of lion. Good eyesight for detect this one! Looks like he's doing a military salute

It is not absurde in any way and actually an interesting suggestion.
Obviously most of these criteria match because Schleich sculpted an young lion and the skin fold, as you pointed, is really the most distinctive feature of this animal. So, no way to tell it is an Asiatic lion but obviously it can make the job in a collection as long as nobody releases one.
By the way, it is much easier to tell an Asiatic lion from an African lion tan it is to tell a North American beaver from an European beaver. A walrus from a lion is also not very hard to tell, I guess.

GREAT idea !!!!
That could make this rather strange model into a wonderful rarity among animal-models

Roger wrote:

....
By the way, it is much easier to tell an Asiatic lion from an African lion tan it is to tell a North American beaver from an European beaver. A walrus from a lion is also not very hard to tell, I guess.

Despite the fact that I dislike this model, i think it can be used as an Asiatic lion, but still a young Asiatic Lion and not an adult. Or a young adult if you want..

I'm glad you like my "repurposing" !

That's indeed a way to make a useless and quite insipid model into something more intersting.

Kosta, why do you think it cannot be used as an adult asiatic lion ? Some individuals have a really thin mane.

I think this model could pass as an Asiatic type. I personally like the model as it is but an asian species not in toy form yet is always a good idea for a collector. If you could customize it a little it could benefit from a slightly more exaggerated skin fold on the belly but it makes a handsome asian lion nonetheless. Lastly, I think a modern company needs to make us at least asian lion! Pretty please?...

That is a nice idea. I also do this with some animals. For example i use the southlands Diprotodon as a future animal evolved from hamsters. Some of the Schleich fantasy creatures also, for example the diver dragon.