Lion (Panthera leo)

Lion, also known as Panthera leo, is a large cat of the genus Panthera native to Africa and India. It is also termed one of the big animals in most national parks. With a muscular, broad-chested body, a dark, hairy tuft at the tips of its tail, a short, rounded head, and round ears are some of the distinguishing features. Adult male lions tend to be larger than females. Pride of lions always consists of cubs, females, and few adult males.

Lions are classified in a family of big cats and are known for their royalty and fighting for survival. At the age of four, a lioness creates its own pride, and at this time the lioness can reproduce. The gestation period of a lion is 110 days, and most times the lioness gives birth to 1–5 cubs at once. Nursing these cubs takes between 5-8 weeks. Lion distribution has reduced over the years due to habitat loss, conflicts, and poaching.

Males are significantly bigger and weigh between 450 and 550 pounds, while females, also known as lionesses, weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. The main distinguishing feature in lions is the manner present in males and absent in females. Lions communicate through grunts, roars, and meows. Lions are considered to be most active during dawn and dusk time.

Most of their daytime is spent while resting as well as gaining energy. They are skilled predators, and most times hunt down zebras, buffalos, elephants, curves, and antelopes. A lion’s pride consists of related females, a few adult males, and cubs. The lion has been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list since 1996, as populations in African countries have declined.