EcoWorld - Big Cats

Lions are the only big cats found living in large family groups, called prides. A typical pride consists of two males and seven females and several cubs, every pride differs in size and formation. Females are typically sisters and/or cousins which have been raised together and are usually the hunters of the pride. Hunting is done as an ambush, females chase the prey into the grasps of hiding males. Females are better suited to the chase, and males with the larger bodies have the ability to knock down large prey such as the wildebeast. Lions are more likely to fail than succeed in their attempts to kill.

Weight: males can weigh in at 150-250kg(330-550lbs) and females 120-182kg(275-400lbs).

Height: measured at the shoulder, 1-1.2m(36-48 inches) for males and slightly smaller for females.

Lifespan: the lions life span in the wild is 15-18 years, in captivity 25-30 years.

Habitat and Range: Many thousands of years ago, lions roamed over the whole of the African continent as well as throughout southern Europe, southern Asia, eastern and central India. With the exception of some 300 highly protected animals in the Gir National Park of India, today the only naturally occuring lions are found in Africa and have been virtually eradicated in the north. Lions do not live in heavy forests and jungles, rather the grasslands, acacia thickets and savannas. Lions do not inhabit desert areas, probably because of the scarcity of game.

Endangered Status: Asiatic Lion, endangered African Lion, not threatened