|
|
Lion
 |
Mammals |
 |
Africa |
 |
Africa Savannah |
 |
Felidae |
 |
120 to 250 K.G |
 |
Savannah, grassy plains |
 |
Zebras, gazelles, wildebeest |
 |
100 to 119 days |
 |
2 to 3 |
 |
Hyenas, African wild dogs |
 |
Endagered |
The King of the Jungle can
sleep up to 20 hours a day.
The African Lion’s strong image is in our imagination and invites to respect
with its roar, its magnificent mane and big cat figure. The hair is short and
the colour varies from a light yellowish to reddish brown. Without the tail, a
male’s body can measure between 1.7 to 1.9 metres (68 to 76 in.) and that of a
female from 1.4 to 1.8 metres (56 to 72 in.). A male can weigh from 150 to 250
kg (330 to 550 lbs) and a female can weigh between 120 and 180 kg (260 to 400
lbs). The species is sparsely distributed all over the African continent. The
African Lion inhabits a variety of open habitats such as dry or humid savannah,
grassy plains, undergrowth as well as the bush. It feeds mainly on zebras,
antelopes, gazelles and wildebeests. It can also hunt buffaloes, giraffes and
even hippopotamuses. Lions are the only gregarious cat living in groups of 4 to
40 members. A male’s main role is to defend the territory, whereas the females
insure the daily food catch. Both sexes can unite their efforts in order to
catch larger preys. In spite of their massive body, they can sprint from 58 to
65 km/h during a hunt. Even if there is no hierarchy inside a group, the males
will always have priority over the food. A female can have two to three lion
cubs in a litter. Only a group of hyenas or African wild dogs can attack adult
lions. These can live up to 15 years old. On land located outside national parks
and reserves, they are frequently hunted by poachers who are attracted by the
sales benefits that they can get from teeth, claws, fur, all things sold as a
trophy or as souvenirs. The African Lion is not an endangered species but is
considered vulnerable.