Lions are unique among cats in that they live in a group, or pride. The members of a pride typically spend the day in several scattered groups that may unite to hunt or share a meal. A pride consists of several generations of lionesses, some of which are related, a smaller number of breeding males, and their cubs. We are going to share some interesting facts about lions.
Here are 20 amazing facts about lions for adults and kids alike
1. Not all wild lions are from Africa
There are two subspecies of lions found in the wild. The African
lion and the Asiatic lion. Asiatic lions are found in a small population in
India’s Gir Forest. Although both sub-species of lions look very similar, there
are some differences. Male Asiatic lions tend to have darker, shorter manes
compared to African Lions. Additionally, both male and female Asiatic lions are
smaller than African lions.
2. Lions can weigh up to 250kg
Male African lions can weigh between 150kg and 250kg, at their
heaviest – 250kg is a whopping 39 stone. Female African lions weigh slightly
less, up to 180kg, which is still an impressive 28 stone!
3. Lions are born spotty
Lion cubs are born with spots, it is thought this helps to keep
the cubs camouflaged in long grass. As they mature these spots eventually begin
to fade.
4. A lion’s mane can grow up to 16cm long
A lion’s mane helps it to appear larger and more threatening
towards potential rivals, growing up to an incredible 16cm long. The male
hormone, testosterone, affects the development of the mane, captive lions that
have been castrated normally lose their mane or never develop one in the first
place. One of our Lions of Lockdown, Louga, came to us missing his mane for
this reason.
5. Cubs are reared together
Female lions, known as lionesses, tend to have cubs around the
same time. Each lioness helps to look after the cubs, keeping them safe from
potential predators.
6. A group of lions is called a pride
Lions live together in a family unit known as a pride. The pride
consists of one or more male lions, multiple related female lions and their
cubs. Each member of the pride has a role, with females rearing the cubs and
doing most of the hunting. The male lions defend and protect the pride from
potential predators and rival males.
7. Where do lions get water from?
Lions can live in extremely dry places, including deserts. To
overcome this, they can get some of the water they need from the prey they
kill. Research has found that lions kill more prey found close to rivers and
water sources than anywhere else. This is due to the preys’ own need for water
meaning they will risk a drink, even whilst lions are present.
8. They can eat up to 40kg of meat in a
single meal
Lions need a lot of food to keep them going and can eat up to
40kg (nearly a quarter of their bodyweight) in one meal! Lions do not chew
their food, instead using their long canine teeth to grab and kill their prey
and their sharp teeth at the back of their mouth to tear it into chunks so they
can swallow it.
9. They hunt during storms
Lions are clever hunters, choosing to hunt at night or during
storms where their prey is unlikely to see or hear them. Lions also use the
cover of darkness to sneak up on their prey, with most hunts taking place at
night.
10. They are the only cats to roar together
Lions roar to protect their territory and ward off potential
rivals and they are the only species of cat to roar together. Lion cubs will
also sometimes try to join in, once they reach 2-3 months old.
11. A lion’s roar can be heard
FIVE miles away
Lion’s roars can be heard up to five miles (8km) away and
can reach 114 decibels – that’s almost as loud as a chainsaw!
12. Only 23,000 lions are left in the wild
Lions are classed as critically endangered due to the
populations of lions decreasing by 43% over the last two decades. The biggest
threats to lions are poaching and habitat loss.
13. Lions can live up to 20 years
Female lions tend to live longer than male lions. Overall, the
average lifespan of a wild lion is 10-14 years but they can live for up to 20
years.
14. The name for lion in Swahili is simba
Swahili is a native African language used in many countries,
including Kenya, and simba is the Swahili word for lion – does that sound
familiar?
15. Lions are the only cats that lives in
groups
Lions live in large groups, typically consisting of between 2
and 40 individuals, called prides. Most other wild cats are solitary animals
(meaning they live and hunt alone), although some, including cheetahs, will
hunt cooperatively.
16. Female lions use clear tactics to catch
their prey
Female lions often hunt in groups and use teamwork to stalk and
surround their prey. During the hunt for food, groups of females chase the prey
towards other lionesses, who are waiting in ambush.
17. Lions sleep up to 21 hours a day
Lions enjoy lazing and relaxing, being known to spend up to 21
hours a day sleeping and resting. However, there is a purpose to this
behaviour. Sleeping a lot allows lions to preserve their energy for when they
really need it, the hunt.
18. Lionesses’ can give birth to up to 6
cubs!
Lionesses tend to give birth to around 3 cubs. However, litter
sizes have been recorded with as many as 6 cubs! Once the cubs have been born,
they will be kept hidden from the pride by the lioness until they have gained
strength and can keep up, returning when they are around 4 to 6 weeks
old.
19. Lions face many threats
Lions face a multitude of different threats. From habitat loss
and fragmentation to climate change and the reduction of available prey. As
well as this, lions are targeted by trophy hunters. Lions are killed each year
by humans, through the trophy hunting and canned hunting industry. Both classed
as a form of sport, trophy hunting is where wild animals are killed and their
body parts used as a trophy. Canned hunting is the hunting of wild animals
(usually lions) kept in a confined area where they cannot escape. It is
estimated that there are 8000 captive-bred lions kept in South-Africa which are
used for canned hunting.
20. Born Free are protecting lions by
painting cows!
Born Free are working with local communities in Meru to paint
eye spots on the back of cows to reduce human-lion conflict. The eye spots
protect the cows, as lions believe they have already been spotted and lost the
element of surprise, meaning they are less likely to target these
animals.
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