Renowned for its majesty and nicknamed
"the king of the jungle," the lion possesses both beauty and
strength. Lions vary in color but typically sport light yellow-brown coats.
Mature male lions are unique among big cats due the thick brown or black manes
that encircle their necks and protect them while fighting.
Lions consume a wide variety of prey,
from wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild
hogs to sometimes rhinos and
hippos. They will also feed on smaller animals such as hares, birds and
reptiles. Lions are also known to attack elephants when food is scarce.
The lion population in Africa has been
reduced by half since the early 1950s. Today, fewer than 21,000 remain in all
of Africa.
Though lions used to live in most parts
of Africa, they are now found only in the south Sahara desert and in parts of
southern and eastern Africa. Historically, in addition to Africa, lions were
found from Greece through the Middle East to northern India.
Both
male and female lions roar, and that roar can be heard over five miles away!
The only social member of the cat
(Felidae) family, lions live in large groups called "prides,"
consisting of about 15 lions. Related females and their young make up the
majority of the pride. A single male, or sometimes a small group of 2-3 males,
will join a pride for an indefinite period, usually about 3 years or until
another group of males takes over.
Lions within a pride are often
affectionate and, when resting, seem to enjoy good fellowship with lots of
touching, head rubbing, licking and purring. The males are territorial, and
will roar and use scent markings to establish their domains.
Females do almost all of the hunting.
They are mainly nocturnal and work in teams to stalk and ambush prey. Lions
inhabit grassy plains, savannahs, open woodlands and scrub country. These
landscapes allow the hunters to creep stealthily through vegetation and leap
upon their unsuspecting prey.
Lions are the second largest living
feline species, second only to the tiger.
Mating
Season: Throughout
the year.
Gestation: Around 110 days.
Litter size: 3-4 cubs.
Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas, leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months but remain with their mother for at least two years.
Gestation: Around 110 days.
Litter size: 3-4 cubs.
Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas, leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months but remain with their mother for at least two years.
Height: 4 feet (1.2m)
(males).
Length: 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4m) (males).
Weight 330-500 lbs (150-227 kg) (males).
In general, female lions are smaller than males.
Lifespan: 10-14 years.
Top speed: 50 mph (81 km/hr), for short distances
Length: 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4m) (males).
Weight 330-500 lbs (150-227 kg) (males).
In general, female lions are smaller than males.
Lifespan: 10-14 years.
Top speed: 50 mph (81 km/hr), for short distances
These
iconic predators—who once ruled from the southern tip of Africa all the way to
northwestern India—are at risk of extinction by 2020.
It’s
hard to believe a population can plummet so quickly. In the 1940s, an estimated
450,000 lions roamed across most of Africa and parts of Asia.
Question:
1.How long can a lion’s
roar be heard?
a. less than 5 miles
b.less than 15 miles
c. over 1 miles
d. 5 miles away
e. less than 10 miles
2. What makes mature
lions unique among big cats?
a.
consume a wide variety of prey
b.thick brown or black manes that encircle their necks
c.found only in South Sahara desert
d.mainly nocturnal
e.do
almost all of the hunting
3.What is the function
of manes that encircle lion’s neck ?
a.to protect them while fighting
b.to stalk and ambush prey
c.to consume a wide variety of prey
d.to enjoy good fellowship
e.to attack elephants
4.What is the large
groups of lion called?
a.Felidae
b.prides
c.domains
d.club
e.group
5. How long can lion
live?
a.200 years
b. 15 years
c. 10-14 years
d. 50 years
e. 100 years
