Individuals also forage for small rodents, hares … They have longer legs and leaner bodies than ‘regular’ lions and are built for endurance. This is to ensure fertilisation during the female’s oestrus period so that the cubs will be born as soon as possible, allowing for longer protection under the pride male. African lions have a wide habitat tolerance and can live almost everywhere – from open woodlands, thick bush, scrub... 3. Globally, lions exist in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, though history shows that a long time ago, lions also inhabited parts of southwest Asia and north Africa. The cubs compete for what remains once the adults finish. 12. The size of a pride depends on food availability, but a typical group includes three males, a dozen females, and their cubs. Hunting takes place mostly from dusk until dawn, and during the cooler hours of the day. A pride will usually consist of 1-4 adult males, several adult females (one dominant), and several sub-adults and cubs. You’d even find them out in the US and Canada, for a time! Having pupils that are vertical slits are handy for cats that are on the prowl for small prey and need to be able to focus clearly on the small stuff. Facts about African lions 2: Eating. There Are Lions Pretty Much Everywhere. The main threats are retaliatory or preemptive killing to protect people and livestock, and decreasing natural prey and habitat (for example, due to expanding human settlements and therefore less available grazing). Humans kill lions to protect livestock, out of fear of human endangerment, and for illegal trade. 1. Tell a Friend ; The lion has forever been a symbol of strength, power and ferocity. The gestation period is 102-112 days which usually results in 2 to 5 cubs. Lions are hypercarnivores, which means their diet consists of more that 70% meat. Diet. 1. Facts about African lions 1: Prides. The 2014 census estimated about 7500 wild lions remained, but the numbers have continued to decline since that time. This definitely rings true with these magnificent felines! African lions used to live in most parts of the continent of Africa. African Lion Facts Characteristics. Male lions defend the pride’s territory while females do most of the hunting. The manes of Masai lions are in fact more stripped and appear to be combed backwards. During WWF tours to Africa, seeing the majestic species up-close is sure to be a spine-tingling experience. Historically, lions ranged from northern Africa through southwest Asia, west into Europe and east into India. Liger (Panthera leo Panthera tigris) in zoo, Siberia, Russia. A single lion can take down prey twice its size. Female lions typically stay in the pride as they grow up whereas young males eventually leave the pride and attempt to establish their own prides. Diet. The numbers of African lions are sadly on a rapid decline. Furthermore, they are susceptible to tick-borne diseases like canine distemper and babesia. Lions face many threats African lion numbers are thought to have declined by over 40% in the just three generations. ThoughtCo. Lions live in savannahs and grasslands, where some cover and plenty of water can be found. On the subject of eyes, lion cubs are born with blue eyes that change to amber or brown when around the age of two to three months. Only adult male lions display a brown, rust, or black mane, which extends down the neck and chest. My Mane Man!– African lions’ famous mane begins to grow when the male lion reaches one year of age. Upon closer inspection, you will see that lions have round pupils, instead of vertical slits that are found in domestic cats. Generally speaking, a darker, fuller mane indicates a healthier animal with prominent … This post provides interesting facts about the African lion you are sure to find really informative and fun. Safari company Lions kill either by strangling their prey or by enclosing its mouth and nostrils to suffocate it. The lion may be called the "king of the jungle," but it's actually absent from rainforests. Lions are closely related to tigers, snow leopards, jaguars, and leopards. A big part of why they sleep so much is to conserve energy for when it is needed - for hunting and defending territories. Since the early 1950’s, the lion population in Africa has been reduced by half. Lion brothers drinking in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa © Fanie Heymans, NEWS WRAP: Leopard mauls tourist in Namibia + lion pride poisoned in Uganda, the best places to see wild lions in Africa, stunning photo gallery of the iconic desert lions of Namibia, Does the farming and legal trade of wildlife do more harm than good? However, the average lion weighs between 150 and 200 kilograms. In Ruaha National Park, where 10 percent of the worlds remaining population can be found, AWFs Ruaha Carnivore Project is fostering a much-needed shift in the local opinion of carnivores. ThoughtCo, Feb. 17, 2021, thoughtco.com/african-lion-facts-4173971. Interesting Leopard Facts – about the elusive predator. Facts about the African lion [Images and videos below] Distribution. This may include zebra, impala, Thompson’s gazelles and wildebeest. Lions will gorge themselves into a food coma when there is plenty of food available, and on days like this, an average male lion will swallow around 15% of their body weight! Male Asiatic lions have smaller manes than African lions. 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