Most lions live in Africa, but there are some lions that live in Asia. African lions are the ones we see most often on TV, with their big manes and bigger roars. Asiatic lions are slightly smaller and scragglier looking, with smaller manes. Both of these lion types like living on wide open savannahs.
Lions are some of the few feline species that prefer to live in groups, which are called prides. A single pride generally will have 4-6 lionesses, 2 or more male lions, and a bunch of cubs. When male cubs turn 3 or 4 years old, they must leave their pride to find a new pride of their own. Female cubs may stay in the pride they were born in.
Lions are carnivores, which means they only eat meat. Lions will spend 2-3 hours a day hunting, 1 hour eating, and up to 20 hours sleeping! All lions in a pride take turns hunting, even the males and cubs. Cubs start learning to hunt when they’re around 1 year old. Their first attempts are usually unsuccessful, but they won’t learn unless they try!
- African lion males can weigh up to 550 pounds and females can weigh up to 400 pounds. Asiatic lions are smaller, with the males only weighing up to 420 pounds and females weighing up to 260.
- Lion claws are 3 inches long – about the length of a human finger!
- Lions cough up hairballs, just like house cats.
- Lions begin growing their manes at 3 years old. You can get an idea of how old a male lion is based on how long and dark his mane is.
- Lions can run up to 35 miles per hour.
- Lions by Laura Marsh
- Lions: Life in the Pride by Adele D. Richardson
- Lions by Julie Murray
- Lion Rescue: All About Lions and How to Save Them by Ashlee Brown Blewett