Common Name:

Lion

Hunting:

No

Location:

Surrounding Areas

Description:

Short-haired, tawny cat; black tail tuft, ears, and lips; newborns with grayish spots which fade to adult color by three months. At maturity, exhibit blond to black manes

Images:

Info:

Lions are the only truly social cat species, and usually every female in a pride of 5-37 individuals is closely related. An adult lion's roar can be heard up to five miles away and warns off intruders or reunites scattered pride members. While lions are inactive up to 21 hours a day, in the darkest, coolest hours of early morning the "queens of beasts" hunt as a team to catch a communal meal. Pride lionesses frequently enter breeding season together and later give birth at the same time which allows them to share nursing and other maternal duties. Although only one out of four hunting events is successful, dominant males always eat first, lionesses next, and cubs scramble for scraps and leftovers.

Range:

sub-Saharan Africa

Habitat:

Grasslands and semi-arid plains

Diet:

Antelopes, gazelles, warthogs, smaller carnivores, and occasionally Cape buffalo, giraffe, and young elephants

Size:

Male: 1.7-2.5 m (5.5-8 ft), and 1.2 m (4 ft) at the shoulder
Female: 1.4-1.7 m (4.5-5.5 ft), and 1.06 m (3.5 ft) at the shoulder

Gestation:

98-105 days; on average 2-4 cubs born

Sexual Maturity:

Male: 5 years
Female: 4 years

Life Span:

Up to 30 years in captivity, 15 years average

Status:

Not Listed

Spoor:

Source:

Submitted by:

Mhlosinga