Lion
Panthera leo
Lions have strong, compact bodies and golden coats. Males are easy to recognise thanks to their distinctive manes. Lions are the only cats which live in large social groups. These prides are made up of lionesses, their cubs and some unrelated males.
The lionesses hunt in groups to improve their chances and catch larger prey like antelopes, zebras and wildebeest. They live in the grasslands, scrub and open woodlands of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Did you know: Lions will spend up to 21 hours a day resting and sleeping.
Conservation
Since the mid-1990’s Lion populations have declined by an estimated 43% due to loss of habitat and prey, which has resulted in increased human-wildlife conflict.
- Species
- Lion
- Height
- 120 cm
- Weight
- 180 kg
- Speed
- 80 km/h
- Range
- Sub-Saharan Africa, with 80% in eastern or southern Africa. Three of the five largest populations are in Tanzania.
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
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