The "sociable" cat, the lion is the only member of the cat family to organize itself into a complex social structure known as a pride. For this reason, much interest has been directed toward the lion from wildlife biologists, destroying old myths and giving us new understanding to such a noble creature.
Appearance
Males: up to 98 inches (249 cm) long head and body plus a 40 inch (102 cm) tail. 48 inch (122 cm) shoulder height in large specimens. 350 to 550 lbs. (159 - 250 kg). Females: 70 inches (178 cm) long, 41 inch (104 cm) shoulder height, 260 to 400 lbs. (118 - 181 kg). Color ranges from buff to dark tawny. Only the male has a mane which varies in color from blond to black. Cubs are born with faint leopard like spots which fade as they grow.
Distribution/Habitat
Thoughout the savannas of Africa except northern and very southern regions. A small population resides in the Gir forest of India.
Habits
Lions form coalitions known as prides. Prides vary in size from three to over 25 individuals with about one third being male. The nucleus of the pride is the females who are related to one another. The pride benefits the lions in a few ways such as cooperative hunting and care of the young. Females perform nearly all of the hunting and care of the young, while the males' key responsibility is to defend the pride and its territory against marauding lions which may be out to take over the pride.
Reproduction
Two to four cubs are born after a gestation period of 110 days. Cubs are born blind and helpless. In harsh conditions, less than 10 % of cubs will survive to grow to adulthood. Lions are considered fully grown at four years. At nearly three years of age, the males are ejected from the pride to become "nomadic". They may be ejected with another male or may "buddy up" with a another nomadic male. If they survive the rigors of being nomadic, they may grow strong enough to take over a pride one day.
Diet
Lions are opportunistic feeders. They will prey on animals from a few pounds to those in excess of 1,000 pounds (454 kg). Most of the prey consist of herbervourous animals. Hunting is performed mostly at night.
Conservation
Most subspecies are considered endangered. The Barbary and Cape lion are extinct. One of the concerns of lion conservation is as the human population expands across the African plains, lion populations will be cut off from one another, confining the animals into population "pools". Inbreeding can occur, resulting in reduced disease resistance, reproduction problems, and weakened ability to evolve in a changing environment. This population "gene pool" issue is a concern with a few other felines as well as other animals.Back to Big Cats Connection home page