A lion is a large, powerfully built cat of the genus Panthera native to Africa and India. A lion has a long body, large head, and short legs. Lions are sexually dimorphic- adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. They are a social species, forming groups called prides12.
How much does a Lion weigh?
The average weight of a lion varies depending on the subspecies, but it ranges from 170 kg to 230 kg for adult males and from 120 kg to 180 kg for adult females2. In pounds and ounces, this is equivalent to 370 lb to 500 lb for males and 260 lb to 400 lb for females.
Some FAQs about lions
Where do lions live?
Lions live in a variety of habitats, but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland. They are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa, with a small population in India12.
What do lions eat?
Lions are carnivores and prey on large animals, such as zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, and antelopes. They also scavenge from other predators or eat smaller animals, such as rodents, birds, and reptiles12.
How long do lions live?
Lions can live up to 10 to 14 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity2.
How many types of lions are there?
There are two recognised subspecies of lions: the African lion (Panthera leo leo) and the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). The African lion has several regional populations that may be genetically distinct. The Asiatic lion is smaller and has a less developed mane than the African lion12.
How many lions are left in the wild?
The global wild lion population is estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000 individuals, with most populations living in protected areas. The lion is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The main threats to lions are habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and disease12.
Some fun facts about lions
Lions are the most social of all cats. They live in groups of up to 40 individuals, consisting of related females, their offspring, and a few dominant males. They cooperate in hunting, raising cubs, and defending their territory12.
Lions have a loud roar that can be heard up to 8 km away. They use their roar to communicate with each other, to mark their territory, and to intimidate rivals or prey12.
Lions have excellent vision and can see well in the dark. They have a reflective layer behind their retina that helps them see up to six times better than humans at night12.
Lions have a rough tongue that is covered with tiny spines called papillae. They use their tongue to scrape meat off bones, to groom themselves and each other, and to show affection12.
Lions have a tuft of hair at the end of their tail that is usually darker than the rest of their coat. The tuft conceals a hard spine that may be used as a weapon or a sensory organ12.
Source:
(1) Lion – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion.
(2) Lion | Characteristics, Habitat, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/lion.
(3) Lion | Smithsonian’s National Zoo. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/lion.
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