Photo by Quaehee Yu

African Lion 

Description   Male lions are 20-35% larger than female lions, an advantage in defending a territory.   The mane of the male is useful because it makes the male appear larger to other males, without the disadvantage of increased weight. 

Habitat   They live in open savanna and grassy plains south of the Sahara in Africa.   Lion is the only social cat and lives in a group called a pride. The pride consists of one to four adult males and a group of females with their young.   The females make up the nucleus of the pride and initiate all movement and hunting.   The males defend the pride's territory and protect the females from other males.

Food   Lions usually hunt at night, alone, or in groups.   Their preferred prey are large hoofed mammals, such as zebras and wildebeests, but they will go after small hares as well as huge giraffes.   The females hunt in groups and encircle the prey to catch it.   Solitary males hunt for themselves, but the males in prides survive on the kills made by females.
 

More Pictures and Sounds  

• Wildlife African Lion Photos - Lion Images (45 images) 
• Bioinfo Animal Pictures Archive  - Lion's sound 
• Bioinfo Animal Pictures Archive  - Lionroar sound

More Information 

• The Virtual Zoo - The general information about lion 
• African Lion - information from the Oakland Zoo on the king of the beasts. Includes sounds and video of the animal. 
• Bridgeport Nature Center - African Lion 
• Wildlife African Lion Photos - Lion Information 
• Test Your Knowledge on African Lions 
• Wildlife Africa-Animal Behavior, African wildlife

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Last modified : April 5, 2000
Created by Quaehee Yu