African Lion

Lions (*Panthera leo*) are large felines that are traditionally depicted as the "king of the jungle." These big cats once roamed Africa, Asia and Europe. However, now they are found in only two areas of the world and are classified into two subspecies. Asiatic lions live in India's Gir Forest; African lions live in central and southern Africa. Though they look similar, these two subspecies are very different in size, habitat, diet and more.

## African Lion Subspecies

* Masai Lion
* Barbary Lion
* Transvaal Lion
* West African Lion
* Congo Lion
* Southwest African Lion
* Ethiopian Lion

## Size & Characteristics

The African lion is 4.5 to 6.5 feet (1.4 to 2 meters) long from its head to its rump, and its tail measures from 26.25 to 39.5 inches (67 to 100 centimeters) long. African lions typically weigh 265 to 420 lbs. (120 to 191 kilograms). Asiatic lions tend to be much bigger, according to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF). They weigh 300 to 500 lbs. (120 to 226 kg) and are 6.56 to 9.18 feet (200 to 280 cm) long. Their tails measure 23.62 to 35.43 inches (60 to 90 cm).

Male lions are generally larger than females and have a distinctive mane of hair around their heads. The mane's function is to make the male look more impressive to females and more intimidating to other males, according to the San Diego Zoo. The mane also protects the male's neck during fights over territory or mating rights.

## Habitat

African lions live in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They wander a territory of 100 square miles (259 square kilometers), according to National Geographic. This territory consists of scrub, grasslands or open woodlands.

Asiatic lions are found only in the Gir Forest National Park in India. This park is a wildlife sanctuary on 877.37 square miles (1,412 square km) of land. The land includes a deciduous forest, grasslands, scrub jungle and rocky hills.

## Diet

African lions eat large animals that they find in the grasslands, including antelopes, zebras and wildebeest.

## Habits

Lions are very social cats and live in groups called prides. Asiatic and African lion prides are very different, though. African lion prides consist of up to three males, around a dozen females, and their young, according to National Geographic. There are prides that have as many as 40 members, though.

Asian lions divide themselves into two prides. The females have a pride and the males have a pride. They only come together during mating season. With both types of lion prides, the females stay put. All of the females in a pride are usually related to each other because females tend to stay with the pride in which they are born. Males, on the other hand, wander off to create their own pride when they are old enough.

## Offspring

At 3 to 4 years old, males and females are ready to mate. The female has a gestation period of around four months. She will give birth to her young away from others and hide the cubs for the first six weeks of their lives. At birth, the cubs are only around 3 lbs. (1.5 kg). They are also completely dependent on their mother.

All of the females in a group of lions mate at the same time. After the first six weeks, the cubs are taken care of by all of the females and will often nurse from females other than their mother, according to the San Diego Zoo.

## Gallery

### Live Action & Animated Films

The Lion King (1994)Fantasia 2000 (1999)Lady and the Tramp (1955)Dumbo (1941)The Wild (2006)Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)Night at the Museum (2006)Cats Don't Dance (1997)Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005)The Legend of Tarzan (2016)The King and the Mockingbird (1952)