
The Lion
Lions
are the second largest members of the feline family in the
world. Lion are tan in colour and have a slightly white
under-body, with a tuft of black hair at the end of their tails.
Most cat species live a fundamentally solitary existence, but
the lion is an exception. It has developed a social system based on
teamwork and a division of labour within the pride, and an extended
but closed family unit centres around a group of related females. The
average pride consists of about 15 individuals, including five to 10
females with their young and two or three territorial males that are
usually brothers or pride mates.
Size:
Lion stand 48 inches high at the shoulder.
Adult male lion weigh
about 416 pounds.
Female lions weigh 277 pounds.
Habitat:
Lions are found in savannahs, grasslands, dense bush and
woodlands.
Diet: Carnivore
Diet
Description: Lions are opportunists when it comes to
feeding. They will scavenge from other predators that have killed an
animal, or will hunt animals ranging in size from the large African
buffalo to a small hare.
Male Lions:
Male lions are typically 4 feet in height with a large mane of hair
that begins to develop around age two that surrounds the neck. The
mane can vary in colour from tawny/tan to black.
Females:
Females are 44 inches in height, and have no mane around their neck.
Cubs are born with a slightly spotted coat, that changes to their
parents tawny coloration around three months of age. Female lions
live longer than males, and Serengeti female lions can live up to age
18, whereas males typically live to age 12.
Socialisation:
Lions are the only 'social' cats, whereby related female
lions live together and form groups called 'prides'. Lion prides are
family groups with all of the females related, mothers and daughters,
sisters and cousins, etc.
A pride can range from three to 30
individuals, but tend to average about fifteen members, which include
male and female lions plus a number of cubs. The number of lions in a
pride will vary significantly based on the number of prey animals
that live or migrate through the pride's territory.
Reproduction:
Cubs are born after a gestation period of 110 days, with
female lions giving birth in a den site, typically located in a rock
outcrop or in dense vegetation. A female will on average give birth
to three cubs that are between 2 to 4 pounds in weight.
Predators:
Humans