About Lions
The lion is a large cat of the genus Panthera native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane.
General characteristics
The lion is a well-muscled cat with a long body, large head, and short legs. Size and appearance vary considerably between the sexes. The male’s outstanding characteristic is his mane, which varies between different individuals and populations. 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. In some lions the mane and fringe are very dark, almost black, giving the cat a majestic appearance. Manes make males look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates. 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). The female, or lioness, is smaller, with a body length of 1.5 metres, a shoulder height of 0.9–1.1 metres, and a weight of 120–180 kg. The lion’s coat is short and varies in colour from buff yellow, orange-brown, or silvery gray to dark brown, with a tuft on the tail tip that is usually darker than the rest of the coat.
Fun Facts with Travel Lekker – Lions
- Lions usually live in groups of 10 or 15 animals called prides.
- An adult male’s roar can be heard up to 8km away.
- A female lion needs 5kg of meat a day. A male needs 7kg or more a day.
- The name for a baby lion is a cub, whelp or Lionet.
- Lions go on the hunt for food mostly from dusk till dawn.
- In the wild, lions live for an average of 12 years and up to 16 years.
- The ‘king of the jungle’, most lions live in the savannah or grasslands.
- Females reach two-thirds of their size by the time they are 2 years old.
- Lions run at a speed of up to 81kmph.
- Lions hunt large animals such as zebra and wildebeest.
When it comes to African wildlife, few experiences rival the thrill of encountering the “Big Five.” Comprising the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros, these magnificent creatures are a must-see for any nature enthusiast. At Travel Lekker, we specialize in curating unforgettable journeys to witness these iconic animals in their natural habitats. Feel free to reach out to Travel Lekker for additional details about our remarkable Big Five Animals.
