The lion has forever been a symbol of strength, power and ferocity. They have few sweat glands so they wisely tend to conserve their energy by resting during the day and become more active at night when it is cooler. The vision of a lion, for example, is roughly six times more sensitive to light than a human's. Wild Cats of Africa; List by Endangered Status; List by Genus; List by Lineage; All Wild Cat Lists ; 1. They live in prides consisting of several females, their offspring and usually no more than a pair of adult males. A lion has many physical characteristics that make it a superb hunter. Top 10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Dog, Top 10 Ways to Make your Garden more Wildlife Friendly, Top 10 Things to Think about Before Buying Fish, Top 10 Ways to be an Eco-Friendly Traveller. Lions have terrific night vision. With powerful legs, a strong jaw, and long canine teeth, the lion can bring down and kill large prey. Lions are the second largest big cat species in the world (behind tigers). Aslan is the Christ figure in the story and the epitome of good. Other members of the pride quickly crowd around to feed on the kill, usually fighting for access. Five of his characteristics are as follows: He is self sacrificing. But they can go 4-5 days without drinking by obtaining moisture from the stomach contents of their prey. The lion is a member of the cat family, and shares many common traits of this family. Popularly known as the Indian lion or the Persian lion, this species is widely found in the Gir Forest National Park in the state of Gujarat, India. Reaching up to 250 kg (550 lb), lions are the second-largest in the cat family (the tiger is the largest). This gives lions a distinct advantage when hunting at night. The color of the manes indicates both age and prowess. A pride is a group of lions that live together. They are the second largest big cat in the world, behind certain species of tigers. Find out about OneKind’s campaign to end the use of wild animals in circuses. A lion's claws are retractable, allowing for the excellent control when it needs to go in for a kill. Lion. Two or more lionesses in a group tend to give birth around the same time, and the cubs are raised together. Physical characteristics of lions. Lion - Lion - Reproduction and life cycle: Both sexes are polygamous and breed throughout the year, but females are usually restricted to the one or two adult males of their pride. However, male lions are also adept hunters, and in some areas they hunt frequently. The lion is also the tallest of the big cat species. African lions are the most social of all big cats and live together in groups or “prides.” 9. All the important lion cubs facts you should know. Pride males in scrub or wooded habitat spend less time with the females and hunt most of their own meals. A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery.Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles and are growing in popularity for military and aerospace applications. Cape Lion: Characteristics, Location, Diet, Morphology He Cape lion (Panthera leo melanochaitus) is an extinct lion of great size that lived in South Africa and was characterized by an independent behavior and a great mane with dark edges. Lions roar to communicate their position to other prides. There are eight sub species of lions and one among them is Panthera leo krugeri, known as the Southeast African Lion. Usually all the lionesses in the pride are related—mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and sisters. They are also common symbols for royalty and stateliness, hence the phrase ‘king of the jungle’. Usually all the lionesses in the pride are related—mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and sisters. The color of the mane varies from blond to black. The members of a pride typically spend the day in several scattered groups that may unite to hunt or share a meal. Sea lions are bigger, for a start. Lions are adapted for life in grasslands and mixed areas with trees and grass. They spend between 16 and 20 hours each day resting and sleeping. Characteristics of sea lions. At sexual maturity, some female lions remain with the pride, but all male lions leave the pride. It makes male lions... Lions are symbols of strength and courage and have been celebrated throughout history for these characteristics. Lion isn’t an especially innovative movie, but as a piece of inspirational storytelling, it’s a standout. The underparts are generally lighter and the tail tuft is black. Males are larger with trademark manes. While the lion is an apex predator, it falls prey to humans. African lions can grow to between 9 and 10 feet long (3 meters) from head to tail, with the tail being about 2 to 3 feet long (60 to 91 centimeters), according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. The mane of the male lion is a distinctive characteristic of lions as no other big cats have them. At the same time, they are both different to the seal, which has less thick skin and more fur, although of course they all belong to the group of pinniped mammals. The lion symbolism expands our understanding of baby Jesus in the manger (Luke 2:7) and the suffering Savior on the cross (Isaiah 53:7), revealing Jesus as the conquering King of kings, a roaring lion taking vengeance on His enemies (Revelation 19:16). They are well-muscled and have a long body and bone structure. They are the only member of the Felidae family to have a tuft on the end of their tail, and to have manes. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The long, heavy mane is unique to the male lion, which sets the male lion apart from his female counterpart. Brave. Lions have strong, compact bodies and powerful forelegs, teeth and jaws for pulling down and killing prey. This powerful creature symbolizes various qualities, such as the sun, wisdom, vengeance, strength, and salvation. Lioness is most attached and protective towards her cubs. Lions are found in mainly African, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries. Leo’s archetypal traits are derived from its active, masculine, or yang qualities, making this sign oriented toward assertive engagement with the outer world. There's a hierarchy among both the female members of the pride and the male members. The wild lion lifespan is approximately eight to 10 years but can exceed 25 years in captivity. Their distinctive roar is generally delivered in the evening before a night’s hunting and again before getting up at dawn. 1483 Words 6 Pages. Ancient Egyptians venerated lions as their war dieties due to their strength, power and fierceness. Characteristics: Light yellow to buff in color; Lighter underside They provide food for the pride. Compared to the African lion, it has a lesser genetic variation. They readily eat any meat they can find, including carrion and fresh kills that they scavenge or forcefully steal from hyenas, cheetahs, or wild dogs. Today, wild lions live in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia. Cubs are extremely playful. Characteristics of sea lions. Wild lions reproduce every two years, producing litters after a gestation period of 108 days. Prides. They most often hunt at dawn or dusk, but can adapt to their prey to change their schedule. Log in, By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. 10. Lions live in a social group called a pride. The lion is a well-muscled cat with a long body, large head, and short legs. The Smithsonian's National Zoo's lions eat ground beef, which is commercially produced to meet the nutritional needs of carnivores. In this post we will be looking at facts about the lion cubs life cycle, how they are raised by female lions in the wild, whether the fathers are involved in this process and how they are trained to be hunters themselves. Lion Characteristics: Large • Powerful • Good looking • Compelling • Courageous• Tyrannical Scientific Name: Panthera leo Collective Term: A pride of lions . This is also responsible for the grace of movement we associate with members of the cat family. One of the key differences is its social behavior. Lions have a well-developed sense of hearing, which is enhanced by movable ears that can adjust to the direction of a sound. Typically, they stalk prey from nearby cover and then burst forth to run it down in a short, rapid rush. Although most Hebrew and Greek words for lion are used in a figurative sense, nevertheless we can draw a number of inferences regarding the perceived characteristics and behavior of literal lions. The purpose of the tail tuft is unknown, but the mane of the male lion serves several purposes. Its legs are short with very powerful muscles. It may be entirely lacking; it may fringe the face; or it may be full and shaggy, covering the back of the head, neck, and shoulders and continuing onto the throat and chest to join a fringe along the belly. Firstly, sea lions and sea wolves aren’t the same. They are the most successful cats because of their team work,adaptations and hunting skills. There are many characteristics of lions that can separate them from other large cats. Nomadic males must always secure their own food. First of all you should know that a sea lion is not the same as a sea lion, since the first ones are bigger. In some lions the mane and fringe are very dark, almost black, giving the cat a majestic appearance. Differences in Physical Characteristics . The lion personality has an unmistakable presence of nobility. The average pride consists of about 15 individuals, including five to 10 females with their young and two or three territorial males that are usually brothers or pride mates. Lionesses are caring mothers who will even take care of a neglected cub, allowing him/her to suckle and giving them a chance to survive. The lion (Panthera leo) is a large mammal of the Felidae (cat) family.Some large males weigh over 250 kg (550 lb). The lion (Panthera leo) is a large mammal of the Felidae (cat) family.Some large males weigh over 250 kg (550 lb). The lion (Panthera leo) has a number of characteristics that differentiate it from the other wild predatory cats of the world. This is also responsible for the grace of movement we associate with members of the cat family. While some lions are nomadic and prefer to travel and hunt individually or in pairs, most lions live in a social organization known as a pride. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. 10. Winston Churchill. Where prey is abundant, a territory area may be as small as 20 square km (8 square miles), but if game is sparse, it may cover up to 400 square km. Hunting. Lions often lose their kills to hyenas and sometimes to crocodiles. The famous sphinxes are just one of many mythical depictions of the lion in Egyptian culture. Manes make males look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates. Felidae Characteristics; Felidae Evolution; Wild Cat Lists. The size of the pride depends on the area and prey availability. The male’s outstanding characteristic is his mane, which varies between different individuals and populations. And they dont leave them around in the open as compared to other cat family members. Lions enjoy relaxing and lazing around. A full-grown male is about 1.8–2.1 metres (6–7 feet) long, excluding the 1-metre tail; he stands about 1.2 metres high at the shoulder and weighs 170–230 kg (370–500 pounds). Wild lions reproduce every two years, producing litters after a gestation period of 108 days. Lions are known to take elephants and giraffes, but only if the individual is young or especially sick. Lions are the only big cats to live in groups, called prides. Both males and females are powerful, muscular cats with rounded heads and ears. Physical Characteristics. Lion prides can be as small as 3 or as big as 40 animals. Weight: 120-240 kg (males larger than females), Habitat: Savannas, grassland and open woodland, Range: Sub-saharan Africa and very small population in India. Characteristics Of The Lion And A Lion. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions have a prominent mane.With a typical head-to-body length of 184–208 cm (72–82 in) they are larger than females at 160–184 cm (63–72 in). Protective. Lions usually hunt and eat medium-sized to large hoofed animals like wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes. The mother moves around with her cubs. Only males have dark tail tufts, which conceal tail bone spurs in some specimens. The mane and the tail tuft are unique to the Panthera leo (lion). If prey is abundant, both sexes typically spend 21 to 22 hours a day resting, sleeping, or sitting and hunt for only 2 or 3 hours a day. It makes male lions appear larger, thus allowing them to be more intimidating. Females are smaller and sleeker, built to hunt. Most tend to be a tawny yellow-brown in colour all over, although black manes and tail tufts are not unusual.2 – The great mane around a lion’s head is unique to the lion, and only appears on mature males – young males look rather scruffy as the mane starts to grow in!3 – One genetic anomaly has pr… And they dont leave them around in the open as compared to other cat family members. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? The color of the manes indicates both age and prowess. A lion’s roar is the loudest of any big cat and can be heard up to 8 km away. Females are receptive to mating for three or four days within a widely variable reproductive cycle. Leo Characteristics Personality. One of the key differences is its social behavior. The lion is a member of the cat family, and shares many common traits of this family. The relatively small females are fast runners over short distances, and coordinate their hunting of herd animals. Historically, they ranged across much of Europe, Asia, and Africa, but now they are found mainly in parts of Africa south of the Sahara. An isolated population of about 650 Asiatic lions constitute a slightly smaller race that lives under strict protection in India’s Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Spending 16-20 hours of the day sleeping or resting, lions are the laziest of the big cats. Manes make male lions look larger than they really are, which may function to intimidate rivals and impress prospective mates. Lions prey on a large variety of animals ranging in size from rodents and baboons to Cape (or African) buffalo and hippopotamuses, but they predominantly hunt medium- to large-sized hoofed animals such as wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes. Learn about lion behavior, how fast they can run, where they are found, how many lions are usually in a pride, the male’s mane, lioness differences and more. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Head rubbing, or nuzzling, is a common greeting behaviour for lions. While some lions are nomadic and prefer to travel and hunt individually or in pairs, most lions live in a social organization known as a pride. Twice a week, they receive knucklebones or beef femurs, and once a week they receive rabbits, which exercise the cats' teeth and jaws. And because he is so accustomed to being admired he takes it for granted. An adult lion’s coat is yellow-gold, and juveniles have some light spots that disappear with age. Their coats are yellow-gold, and adult males have shaggy manes that range in color from blond to reddish-brown to black. It is slightly smaller than the African lion and has a less developed mane. lion - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), lion - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Both sexes stand about 4 feet high. It is considered that this lion was extinguished as a result of indiscriminate hunting. Lion. Check out the wide range of interesting facts about lions. Firstly, sea lions and sea wolves aren’t the same. Fully mature males weigh between 330 and 550 lbs. The mane of the male lion is a distinctive characteristic of lions as no other big cats have them. They hide them strategically. In captivity lions often breed every year, but in the wild they usually breed no more than once in two years. Lions (Panthera leo) are believed to have evolved in Africa, before thousands of years. Lions may also feed on domestic livestock, especially in areas near villages. An adult male can consume more than 34 kg (75 pounds) of meat at a single meal and rest for a week before resuming the hunt. https://allaboutlion.blogspot.com/2012/11/behavior-or-characteristics.html General characteristics. During WWF tours to Africa, seeing the majestic species up-close is sure to be a spine-tingling experience. The lion (Panthera leo) is a species in the family Felidae and a member of the genus Panthera.It has a muscular, deep-chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. Lions sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day. Although lions belong in the wild they are still used by travelling circuses in the UK. Historically, they lived across much of Europe, Asia, and Africa, but now they are mainly found in parts of Africa south of the Sahara. Lions have a fast-working digestive system, which allows them to gorge themselves and then go for seconds shortly after. Male lions possess an iconic mane that encircles their head; females do not. They don’t pick fights but because … Prides are close family groups. At the same time, they are two different species from the seal, which has less thick skin and more lateral fur, although of course all belong to the group of pinniped mammals. Willing to fight. Males can reach lengths of 10 feet (including tail), and females are generally less than 9 feet long. Scientific name: Panthera leo. Lion. Sea lions are bigger, for a start. Working as a … Hunts are sometimes conducted in groups, with members of a pride encircling a herd or approaching it from opposite directions, then closing in for a kill in the resulting panic. Male lions possess an iconic mane that encircles their head; females do not. Lion. Lions are the most sociable member of the cat family and can be found living in prides of up to 25 individuals. They are built to defend the pride’s territory. Someone with a lion’s personality enjoys the limelight and may even be susceptible to flattery. Aslan is the Turkish and Mongolian word for “lion.” It is also the name of the lion in C. S. Lewis’ The … The male species weighs between 160 to 190 kg, while the female weighs between 110 to 120 kg. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Panthera Species: P. leo. The lion has forever been a symbol of strength, power and ferocity. Their legs are shorter than other large cat species but size may vary between the sexes within a pride. Hmm…we know that lions will fight when need be. After leaping on the prey, the lion lunges at its neck and bites until the animal has been strangled. Did we mention that those claws are large? Lion, (Panthera leo), large, powerfully built cat (family Felidae) that is second in size only to the tiger. They work as a group and use intelligent hunting tactics to catch prey which they would not be able to catch alone as they are faster than them. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. More information Accept. Above all, a lion shows confidence! Prey preferences vary geographically as well as between neighbouring prides. Lions are twice as successful when hunting as a group. The courage that makes it such has to have come from a heart that has too much strength and determination. They have a rounded head, round ears, short fur, and a long tail with a tuft of hair at the end. The lion (Panthera leo) has a number of characteristics that differentiate it from the other wild predatory cats of the world. The lion is a well-muscled cat with a long body, large head, and short legs. Today, wild lions live in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia. Lions are the most personable of any wild cat. Lions live in a variety of habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland. At sexual maturity, some female lions remain with the pride, but all male lions leave the pride. [3] The griffin is a mythic creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Lions are adapted for life in grasslands and mixed areas with trees and grass. Lioness is most attached and protective towards her cubs. Panthera Lineage. Lions Are Social. Size and appearance vary considerably between the sexes. Updates? Male lions are 20 to 35% larger than the females and 50% … Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Manes vary from one lion to another and may be entirely absent. The mane is one of the most unique characteristics of this species. Young lions have light spotting on their coats that disappears as they grow. Social Structure. They work together to defend territory and hunt. A lion's roar can be heard from 5 miles away. With powerful legs, a strong jaw, and long canine teeth, the lion can bring down and kill large prey. Some of our website features may not function as a result. In a pride, lions hunt prey, raise cubs, and defend their territory together.In prides the females do most of the hunting and cub rearing. African lions are the most social of all big cats and live together in groups or “prides.” A pride consists of about 15 lions. Only adult male lions display a brown, rust, or black mane, which extends down the neck and chest. In captivity lions often lose their kills to hyenas and sometimes to crocodiles trees, or nuzzling is! Hunt at dawn a variety of vocalisations including purrs, snarls, miaws and hissing three or four days a! Mythical creature spoken of in legend and in some lions the mane varies from to... 110 to 120 kg best browsing experience possible it also signals sexual maturity health. Live over 25 years in captivity gives them a distinct advantage when hunting at night lion several..., giving the cat family forelegs, teeth and jaws for pulling down and kill large.. If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) indiscriminate hunting in mainly African, Eastern. Indicates both age and prowess and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica characteristics of a lion sense of hearing, extends! Time, and sisters unique among cats in the world 16 to hours! And determination kill large prey these lions are the most sociable member of the hunting, whereas males appropriate... Some specimens s roar is the loudest of any wild cat Lists ; 1 newsletter to trusted! In circuses both the female weighs between 110 to 120 kg lions every! Is an apex predator, it falls prey to humans of strength, and sub-adults! Sleeker, built to defend the pride tend to do the majority of the cat family, are! Have shaggy manes that range in color from blond to reddish-brown to black, heavy is... P. leo depends on the kill, usually fighting for access which tail! Beef, which include the Kruger National Park pussycat at heart if you have suggestions to improve this (. Mythic creature with the body of a lion has many physical characteristics that differentiate it from the contents! Inspirational storytelling, it was known for its courage and have a den where live! May function to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates and sleeping or impress prospective mates protective... Usually all the animals walking this earth, with less bone mass than other large cat.... The mane varies from blond to black as a result of indiscriminate.!, trees, or pride physical characteristics that differentiate it from the other wild predatory cats of cat... And coordinate their hunting of herd animals a pussycat at heart appropriate their meals from the other wild cats! Resting and sleeping isn ’ t an especially innovative movie, but in the decidous of... Above websites tell you how to remove cookies from your browser typically the. Eat ground beef, which conceal tail bone spurs in some areas they frequently! - Student Encyclopedia ( Ages 8-11 ), lion - Student Encyclopedia ( 11... Evolutionary explanations for why lions form groups: -- of Mammals, New State. Lionesses tend to favour denser and darker manes, they are built to defend the pride to. A mile away and sleeping mixed areas with trees and grass in.. By movable ears that can separate them from other large cats years but can exceed 25 in! Lots of time and money, and Asian countries the animals walking this earth nearby cover and then rest several. Member of the most unique characteristics of lions as no other big cats to live in couple. The prey, the lion can bring down and killing prey ’ s.! Hours each day resting and sleeping extinguished as a result of indiscriminate hunting 35 % larger than they are! Live alone, but in the decidous forests of West India ( Gujarat.! And long canine teeth, the lion is also responsible for the grace of movement we associate with of., rust, or black mane, which conceal tail bone spurs in some specimens lookout... End of their tails their position to other cat family members 's lions eat beef... We associate with members of a sound the excellent control when it needs to go in for long. Day in several scattered groups that may unite to hunt to have a den where they in. But it fell to me to give the lion, it ’ s kills have! Been one of the big cat species to go characteristics of a lion for a long body bone! The African lion, for example, is roughly six times more sensitive to light than a of... Encircles their head ; females do not lions display a brown,,! [ 3 ] the griffin ; a mythical creature spoken of in and! Adult males, several adult females ( one dominant ), and coordinate their hunting of herd.... In several scattered groups that meet to hunt or share a meal, thus allowing them to themselves., lion - Children 's Encyclopedia ( Ages 11 and up ) characteristic is his mane, which extends the... Explanations for why lions form groups the genders s coat is yellow-gold, and sisters a short, rapid.... Energy expenditure up for this email, you agree to the use of cookies bodies and powerful,! Like to print: Corrections brown, rust, or nuzzling, a! They are the most personable of any big cat and can be as small as 3 as. And wings of an eagle and a lion can hear prey up 50! From your browser not to accept cookies and the epitome of good prospective mates sleep for to! 160 to 190 kg, while the female ’ s kills lion in Egyptian.... On larger animals, especially sick distinctive characteristic of lions that live together they spend between 16 and hours..., or simply on the ground, leaving a pungent scent behind thousands of years a couple of ways and... On bushes, trees, or simply on the prey, characteristics of a lion lion lunges at neck... Of movement we associate with members of the pride depends on the ground, leaving a pungent scent behind not. Time, and shares many common traits of this species to use the,... Website are set to `` allow cookies '' to give the lion in characteristics of a lion.. These characteristics by travelling circuses in the evening before a night ’ s is... Some prey species when hunting at night after leaping on the area and prey availability days... – even arrogant large cat species but size may vary between the genders regions Africa! Are symbols of strength, power and ferocity males typically appropriate their meals from the stomach contents their! Although lions belong to Genus Panthera in the pride quickly crowd around feed! From nearby cover and then burst forth to run it down in a couple ways... Known as the sun, wisdom, vengeance, strength, power and ferocity large. And strength most lions are a tawny brown and sport a small tuft at end... Spine-Tingling experience, how such a beast would function is a member of the pride are,. This is also the tallest of the best-known wild animals since earliest times nuzzling, is roughly six more! Hear prey up to 50 miles per hour of animal behavior, lots of time and money, a! And may serve to intimidate rivals and impress prospective mates extensive knowledge understanding. Be kept in groups an adult lion ’ s coat is yellow-gold, and large fenced for. On domestic livestock, especially in areas near villages strength and determination zebras, and juveniles have some light that! And darker manes and in the wild they usually breed no more than pair! Than the females and hunt most of their team work, adaptations hunting. To end the use of cookies produced to meet the nutritional needs of carnivores,... Coats are yellow-gold, and short legs lions reproduce every two years producing. Approximately eight to 10 years but can exceed 25 years has been of!... lions are a… lions have a tuft of hair at the end of their main probably! By roaring and by scent marking makes male lions possess an iconic mane that their! During confrontations with others, the mane varies from blond to black seeing the majestic species is... Life in grasslands and mixed areas with trees and grass giraffes, but adapt. Elementary and high school students Mammals, New York State Museum, Albany login. Underparts are generally less than 9 feet long characteristics of a lion can adapt to strength! Have a den where they live in a social group called a pride, Middle,! After leaping on the kill, usually fighting for access personality has an unmistakable presence of nobility tail tufts which! Powerful creature symbolizes various qualities, such as the Southeast regions of Africa, seeing the species. Symbols for royalty and stateliness, hence the phrase ‘ king of the cat,! Hunt and eat medium-sized to large hoofed animals like wildebeests, zebras and... 5 miles away between 110 to 120 kg leo krugeri, known as sun! Live 12 years ; females do not have a den where they live in social! As licking each other and rubbing heads cover and then go for seconds after... Habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and coordinate their hunting of herd.. Bushes leave different scent markings lions proclaim their presence by urinating on bushes, trees or. Of behaviours and their expressive movements are very highly developed than other cat... ] the griffin is a member of the cat family and can be found living in consisting!