African Lion

The lion is one of the best known members of the cat family, known as the king of the beasts and an emblem of royalty for many different country’s crests and flags.

Lions are most found in the grasslands of sub-Sahara Africa, Asia, and an endangered remnant in India. The males and females appear different with the male larger and having a dark mane framing his head and neck.

Females are smaller and sleeker, able to do most of the hunting for the pride, which is made up of a few adult males, females and cubs.

Adult male lions can weigh between 330 to 550 pounds and the females tend to range from 264 to 400 pounds. The coloration of the lions is usually a tan or brownish yellow with the mane of the male being darker.

The diet of lions is made up of the game animals they eat, both by scrounging and by making their own kills. The adult lions and lionesses eat first, then the cubs. Lions spend most of the day resting and sleeping, being more active in the night hours. Lions require between 11 and 15 pounds of meat per day for food; this is one reason for the lionesses hunting in groups because it increases the chance of bringing down prey.

Reproduction starts by the time the lioness are four years in age. They mate with different males, with the mating lasting days at a time. The gestation period is about 110 days, with the lioness giving birth from one to four cubs in a sheltered area away from the rest of the group. She will hunt for the cubs while they are helpless, being born blind and weighing anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds. By three weeks of age they are able to walk around, at the mother moves them to a different locations periodically to avoid detection by other predators.

The cubs are introduced to the pride at about six or eight weeks and often there are several lionesses with cubs at the same time, being taken care of by any of the lionesses. Cubs are weaned at four to six months, reaching their full growth at three years. The lioness become fertile after their cubs are grown or die, therefore if an adult male overthrows the reigning male, he will often kill the cubs who are less then two years of age.

African Lion – King Of The Beasts – Royalty Emblem – World Of Nature