Lion

:"Lions" redirects here. For the album by the Black Crowes, see Lions (album).

Lions in the wild

Like all other cats, lions are superpredators, but unlike all other cats they are social hunters and take prey too large and dangerous to overpower singly, including adult zebras, cape buffalo, giraffes, hippopotamuses, and even sub-adult elephants. Lions in Botswana have been known to have killed adult elephants. Singly, a lion kills with the neck bite that breaks the neck or severs vital blood vessels; several lions may pin a large prey animal while another delivers the lethal neck bite or suffocates the prey by covering the victim's muzzle, preventing breathing. Lions are not averse to scavenging, and they frequently drive off smaller or outnumbered predators from kills and take the prey. Lions too can be driven off from prey by such competitors as hyenas and wild dogs in overwhelming numbers. Like other cats they have superb night vision that makes them more effective at night. They can sleep as many as 20 hours in a day.

Related Topics:
Superpredator - Zebra - Cape buffalo - Giraffe - Hippopotamus - Elephant - Hyena - Wild dog

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The lionesses, despite modest size, do the bulk of the hunting and killing. As a rule, all of the females of a pride are related (grandmothers, aunts, mothers, sisters). Male lions exist largely to defend the pride; they are excellent fighters (the mane on lions may be an evolutionary adaptation to fighting; the mane would absorb bites and scratches that might otherwise be lethal), but due to their large size and difficulty at concealment, they are ineffective predators. The male lion gets his share of all kills by his pride. Lionesses 'own' their hunting grounds.

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Most prey animals remain calm if they spot a lion; the lion lacks the stamina for a sustained chase, in contrast to wild dogs. Natural enemies include such competitors as crocodiles, hyenas, and wild dogs, but especially other lions. Some of the prey animals (zebras, hippopotamuses, and elephants) can deliver crippling or killing blows by kicking or stomping.

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Lions are one of the most sexually active cats. During a female's oestrus cycle, a male and female will mate unabated every 10 to 20 minutes for 5-7 days. However, it takes 6-9 oestrus cycles for the female to become pregnant.

Related Topics:
Oestrus - Mate

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Lions are found throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. They are mainly found in woodland type areas but can survive in semi desert or bush areas. In August 2005 a group of scientists proposed introducing lions into North American wildlands in order to replace ancient populations and to curb the danger of extinction.

Related Topics:
South Africa - Zimbabwe - Namibia - Botswana - Mozambique

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Baby or young lions are called cubs. Females give birth to 1-5 youngsters, after a gestation period of three months. The cubs can suckle for as long as 18 months but are normally weaned by 8 weeks. They face a high mortality rate from starvation, attacks by other large predators, and especially by male lions killing the younger ones while taking over a pride.

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