African lion
- Class: Mammals (Mammalia)
- Order: Carnivores (Carnivora)
- Family: Cats (Felidae)
- Genus: Panthera
- Species: Panthera leo
Size
The lion is Africa’s largest carnivore, and fully-grown males sometimes reach weights exceeding 250?kg. Females are considerably smaller.
Ecology
African lions inhabit the plains of the savanna. It is the only social species of cat. Several closely related females with young of different ages form a coalition, or pride, of which usually a singular male is leader.
Food habits
Lions hunt antelopes, zebras and other hoofed animals, but depending on the availability of prey, they also scavenge.
It is generally the female lions that hunt, coordinating their collective efforts to target the prey. The role of the male lion is to defend both the kill and the pride members - primarily the cubs - from rival males.
Longevity
Lions normally live 12 to 15 years, but ones in zoos may reach 20 years of age.
Reproduction
Lions are able to breed at any time of the year. Two to four cubs are born after a 15 week gestation period. The dominant male usually fathers all cubs in the pride.
Conservation status
Lions’ existence is at odds with human settlement and associated cattle farming, whereby they are considered serious problem animals. The poaching and poisoning of lions are serious threats to their survival. In many African countries lions are restricted to protected areas, but even in these reserves poaching is a problem.
The world’s zoos now combine their efforts in managing populations of, among others, the Asiatic lion.
IUCN Threat Category:
Vulnerable.
