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African Lion

Panthera Leo

Fact File

Male size

length 1.8-2.5m | Height 1.2m

Female size

length 1.6-1.8m | Height 1m

Weight

Average 190kg

Litter size

two to six cubs

life span

Average 16 years in the wild

African lions (Panthera leo) are iconic carnivores known for their majestic appearance and social behaviour. Found across sub-Saharan Africa, these apex predators inhabit a variety of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and woodlands.

 

With their distinctive tawny coats and impressive manes (in males), lions are highly adaptable hunters, preying primarily on large herbivores such as zebras, wildebeests, and buffalo.

 

Lions are renowned for their social structure, living in groups known as prides, typically consisting of related females and their offspring, along with a few resident males. Pride members engage in cooperative hunting, territorial defence, and communal care of young.

 

While once widespread, African lions face threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching, leading to population declines in some regions. Conservation efforts, including protected areas and community-based initiatives, aim to safeguard these iconic big cats and their habitats for future generations.

Did you know?!

Male lions enjoy 18 to 20 hours of snoozing, while lionesses, juggling hunting and cub care, catch 15 to 18 hours of sleep.

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