Hunting

Lions …

... in
Venice!
• I went to Venice tor the first time in 1954 with my
parents driving ‘down’ from Frankfurt/Main,
Germany. The second time, in 1970, I took my
wife Ally, and in 1982 a third time, with our
Australian friends Roger and Patsy.
• I always hunted lions there and am still amazed
that I seem to be the only one on this chase.
• Now, retired, I’d like to share with you:

- THE LIONS I SHOT IN VENICE -

• The largest family of lions in the world:

• Door Lions

• Leo knockeratus minor

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• Another quite common species is the

• Balcony Lion

• Leo balconus supportus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• Balcony lions often congregate in clans with

females under the balcony. These do the heavy
lifting and carry the load while the males watch
from above. See how they position themselves
on the corners of the guard rails for the overview
– similar to human behavioral patterns.
• Let us now turn our attention to some the
rarer species:

• Badge Lions

• Leo regalia aristocrata

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• Canon Lions

• Leo fumaris explosivus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• The Ancient Lions

• Leo antiqua voracifera

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• Let us now turn our attention to some the
rarer species:

• The Beaked Lions

• Leo os aviaris
• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• An even rarer species are:

• The Bell Lions

• Leo sonus campanilis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• This is the only species which expects you to
pull their tongue and who will reward you for the
favour!
• Let us now look at a more common
species especially thriving in Venice:

• The Book Lions

• Leo biblis importans

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• Read up about the History of Venice and discover the
secret of the book yourself.
• Another common species in Venice:

• Bridge Lions

• Leo via pontus aquaticus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• Let us forget about the lions in Venice for
a moment and stroll around the canals and
piazzi. The main inhabitants of the city are
of course humans, followed by pigeons,
rats and cats. Among them, mysteriously,
the lions prosper and most visitors will not
realise how numerous they are.
• Let us turn into the backstreets and
backcanals as most of you know the
common tourist spots by now.
The Micro Lions
• Did you see the ‘micro lions’ in the last
picture? If not, go back to discover the
alley-cats.
• It is so easy to walk past the most obvious.

• The Micro Lion

• Leo ludens aggressorius
• Commonly called cats.
• If you are in Venice take time and visit
some of the other islands. A must is
Murano, famous for its artistic glass
making. If you leave from the central porto
it’s a wonderful trip which might net you a
few more lions on the way.
• Just outside the Glass Museum in Murano
you’ll find:

• The Corporate Lion

• Leo ars decorativa

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
Well, yes, I could have grouped him with the book lions,
but I leave the finer points to the experts. The same
applies for my Latin classifications. Take them with a
grain of salt and smile.
• Let us now walk back to the centre and
find a few more species, some very rare,
some not yet in danger.
 Look closely:

There are two bell

lions right in front of
you.

You must concentrate

if you want to hunt
these creatures
successfully.
Everyone will have photographed this wonderful species
• A more common species which has been
introduced to many countries:

• The Column Lion

• Leo columnus erectus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
A column lion is adapted to living at the base.
This fellow
must have
a really
good
coiffeur.
One of the rarest species:

• The Gutter Lion

• Leo aqua ductis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• And another rare species:

• The Fountain Lion

• Leo aqua regurgitatis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• After a short walk back to Piazza San
Marco we find the brilliantly coloured:

• Gable Lions

• Leo fastigium altis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
• A quite thriving species who have adapted
to a specialized function and flanking
doors or gates are :

• The Guard Lions

• Leo domus protectus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
Here in a private setting on the way to the arsenale.
Guarding the arsenale are a few slightly bigger cats.
• This plentiful species graces many walls in
the city and is sometimes referred to as
your common garden variety:

• Wall Lions

• Leo domus ornamentus externa

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’
The plaque
underneath
makes you
aware of the
penal code
article No.
663, which
prohibits
you from
sticking your
pamphlet on
the wall.
 Often the lions will look
down on you and you
would not know they are
even there.
I hope next time you are in
Venice you’ll spot them
everywhere.
I wish you good hunting – it
is great fun and
sharpens your mind.
All photos Dieter Hauptmann (SCCC
Australia) c 2010. Vivaldi’s concerto
for 2 mandolins played by Dieter with
the ATARI chamber orchestra under
the direction of Sir Rightclick Mousse.
For more of my works type
hauptmannbalalaika in youtube.
I hope I could bring a smile to your face -
that would be nice.

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