Lion - The King

all about lions

 Lions are relatives of cats like pumas, tigers and cats. Lions are carnivores (meat eaters). They are also good scavengers. A baby lion or a lioness is called a cub. A group of lions are called a pride. In a pride there are mostly lionesses and atleast one, two or sometimes three lions! The commonly used term African lion collectively denotes the several subspecies found in Africa. They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru. The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a major population decline in its African range of 30–50% per two decades during the second half of the 20th century. Within Africa, the West African lion population is endangered. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. Lions also have different species like white lions. Renowned for its majesty and nicknamed "the king of the jungle," the lion possesses both beauty and strength. Mature male lions are unique among big cats due the thick brown or black manes that encircle their necks and protect them while fighting. Lions consume a wide variety of prey, from wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild hogs to sometimes rhinos and hippos. They will also feed on smaller animals such as hares, birds and reptiles. Lions are also known to attack elephants when food is scarce. The lion population in Africa has been reduced by half since the early 1950s. Today, fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa. Both male and female lions roar, and that roar can be heard over five miles away! Lions are the second largest living feline species, second only to the tiger. Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas, leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months but remain with their mother for at least two years. It’s hard to believe a population can plummet so quickly. In the 1940s, an estimated 450,000 lions roamed across most of Africa and parts of Asia. The population of these vulnerable animals has dramatically decreased in the past few decades with no solid reason as to why. It is thought that clashes with humans and habitat loss may be a possibility, but to help further preserve and monitor these creatures, they are usually kept within reserves and parks. Only eight sub species are recognized today and there is a small range of hybrids with lions mating with tigers, jaguars or leopards to create unique creatures.