The reason for Scar’s black mane in the animated film is purely artistic and symbolic. The creators wanted to visually distinguish Scar from the other lions, particularly his brother Mufasa, who has a golden mane. The stark contrast between Scar’s black mane and his orange fur helps to emphasize his villainous and dark nature.
In reality, a lion with a completely black mane would not exist. Lions typically have light-colored manes that range from blond to reddish-brown. The coloration of a lion’s mane is determined by various factors, including genetics and hormone levels. Darker manes are generally associated with higher levels of testosterone and other male hormones, indicating a healthier and more dominant lion.
So, if we were to imagine a real-life lion with Scar’s coloration, it would have an orange or tawny coat similar to other lions. It’s worth noting that the color of a lion’s fur can vary within a range of shades, from light to dark, but it would not be the striking caramel-orange color depicted in the film.
While Scar’s black mane is unrealistic in terms of lion biology, it serves its purpose in the context of the story. The black mane symbolizes Scar’s cunning and deceitful nature, setting him apart from the noble and regal appearance of his brother, Mufasa. It helps to visually represent Scar as the villain of the film.
Scar’s black mane is purely a creative choice made by the filmmakers to differentiate him from other characters and emphasize his villainous nature. In reality, lions with completely black manes do not exist, but darker manes are indeed associated with healthier and more dominant lions.