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Lion
Panthera leo
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 Appearance
A splendid, powerfully built
cat, the lion has a broad head, thick, strong legs
and a long tail tipped with a tuft of hair that conceals
a clawlike spine. The male is larger than the female
and has a heavy mane on the neck and shoulders. Body
coloration varies from tawny-yellow to reddish-brown,
and the mane may be light yellow to black. Body: 1.4
- 2 m (4 1/2 - 6 1/2 ft), tail: 67 cm - 1 m (26 1/4
in - 3 1/4 ft) |
Description
This impressive creature actually
spends 20 or more hours a day resting. Lions normally
hunt during the day, but in areas where they themselves
are hunted, they are active only at night. They live
in groups, known as prides, consisting of up to 3
adult males and up to 15 females and their young in
a territory that is defended against intruders, particularly
other mature male lions. A small group of young males
without prides may live together. |
Regions
Africa, south of the Sahara;
N.W. India; formerly more widespread in Asia in open
savanna |
Diet
Lions prey on mammals, such
as gazelles, antelope and zebras, and may cooperate
to kill larger animals, such as buffaloes and giraffes.
Smaller animals and birds and even crocodiles may
also be eaten. Lionesses do most of the hunting, often
in groups, some acting as beaters to drive prey toward
other lionesses lying in wait. Lions attack by stalking
their prey and approaching it as closely as possible
before making a short, rapid chase and pounce. They
kill by a bite to the neck or throat. |
Breeding
Breeding occurs at any time
of year. A litter of 1 to 6 young, usually 2 or 3,
is born after a gestation of 102 to 113 days. They
are suckled for about 6 months, but after the first
3 months, an increasing proportion of their food comes
from the kills of adults. The cubs are left behind
with one or two adults while the rest of the pride
goes off to hunt, but if a kill is made, a lioness
will return and lead them to it. Once they are over
4 months old, the cubs accompany their mothers everywhere,
even following behind on hunting trips. They are not
sexually mature until about 18 months old; young males
are driven from the pride at about this age, but females
remain with their family. |
 Status
Non-threatened |
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