Today they are restricted to the savanna, open expanses, and grassy plains of Africa and to the Gir forest sanctuary in Gujarat, western India, which is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion. There are about 50,000 African lions in the wild today, but their numbers are shrinking due to hunting and population pressure from humans. The lion is the only cat that lives in large social groups, shares their territory, and regularly hunts together.
Lions are primarily ground-dwellers, but occasionally climb trees for safety or to avoid insects.
In their habitats, they are the dominant carnivores and will drive away or even kill competitors. Most lions will remain in the same territory all year long, but some are nomadic and follow seasonal prey. The pride is led by the dominant female, but when a new male joins a pride it will drive away the other males and kill any remaining cubs, to increase its genetic representation in the next generation. After a gestation period of 15-17 weeks, the lioness will give birth to up to six cubs. All of the lionesses in the pride share in the rearing of the cubs and the males may even be playful with them.