---
title: Myrmecoleón
description: A hybrid beast, half lion, half ant.
author:
  name: Graciela Paula Caldeiro
  url: http://graciela-caldeiro.idoneos.com
canonical: https://mitosyleyendas.idoneos.com/en/bestiario_mitologico/myrmecoleon/
source: en/bestiario_mitologico/myrmecoleon/index.md
---

**Myrmecoleón**

Also known as Formicaleon, Formicaleun, and Mirimicioleon, this is a hybrid beast, half ant, half lion.

Among its many variants, the one cited in medieval bestiaries portrays it as a creature with the head of a lion and the body of an ant, the offspring of a cross between both species. Each part retains its own nature.

The myrmecoleón dies of starvation because the leonine part feeds on meat, while the ant part can only digest grain.