Scientific Name: Panthera leo
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: 13 years in captivity
Size: Head and body, 4.5 to 6.5 ft (1.4 to 2 m); Tail, 26.25 to 39.5 in (67 to 100 cm)
Weight: 265 to 420 lbs (120 to 191 kg)
Group name: Pride
Protection status: Vulnerable
What does a lion look like?
Mature male lions are unique among the cat species for the thick mane of brown or black hair encircling the head and neck. Both male and female lions roar, a sound which can be heard as far as 8 km away.
Lion video.
Lion in a tree video.
Where do lions live?
The lion is a magnificent animal that appears as a symbol of power, courage and nobility on family crests, coats of arms and national flags in many civilizations. Lions at one time were found from Greece through the Middle East to northern India, but today only a very small population remains in India. In the past lions lived in most parts of Africa, but are now confined to the sub-Saharan region. Lions are found in savannas, grasslands, dense bush and woodlands.
What does a lion eat?
Cooperative hunting enables lions to take prey as large as buffaloes, rhinos, hippos and giraffes. Found in Africa and the Gir Forest of northwest India, lions are formidable hunters. Prides, composed of four to six females, work together to take down large prey, such as zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo. Hunting skills are developed as cubs through the use of play-fighting among relatives. A lion's diet also consists of small rodents, hares and reptiles, which can be hunted and killed by a solitary lion.
What are the natural enemies of the lion?
Lions have long been killed in rituals of bravery, as hunting trophies, and for their medicinal and magical powers. Habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the lions greatest threat. Currently, AWF has lion conservation research projects in Tanzania and Botswana. Little is currently known about where lions go outside of national parks, what they do and what types of threats they face. With a growing human population surrounding parks, there are an increasing number of encounters with humans.
Did You Know this about lions?
Most lions drink water daily if available, but can go four or five days without it. Lions in arid areas seem to obtain needed moisture from the stomach contents of their prey.
When males take over a pride, they usually kill the cubs. The females come into estrus and the new males sire other cubs.
While the male lion is off patrolling the pride's territory, the lionesses are the ones that do most of the hunting for the group.
The wilds of Africa and Asia are host to a never-ending arms race between predator and prey. Even the formidable lion only makes one kill out of every five attempts.
ost lions avoid water; their body temperature drops drastically when wet and oils in their fur that help keep insects away can be washed off. Yet, the lions of the Okavango Delta regularly take to the water to hunt and move from island to island.
Lions often sleep for most or all of the day, especially in extreme heat.
Lion images
Lion Wallpapers
Download free Lion wallpapers, click on the image to open the large version.
Lion wallpaper 1
Lion wallpaper 2
Lion wallpaper 3
Lion wallpaper 4
Lion wallpaper 5
Lion Coloring pages
Print free Lion coloring pages, click on the image to open the large version.
