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African Lion
Panthera leo
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HABITAT
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Grassy
plains and open woodlands |
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DIET
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Lions
ar carnivorous (meat eaters), with cooperative hunting skills that enable
them to take down prey as large as wildebeests, zebras, hippos and elephants.
In area like the Serengeti, lizards, tortoises, warthogs and even crocodiles
can also form part of their meals since 50% of their diet is scavenged
from the kill of other predators . |
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LIFE SPAN
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13
years in captivity |
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OTHER FACTS
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Lions
at one time were found from Greece through the Middle East to northern
India and throughout most parts of Africa.
Most
cats live a solitary existence, but the lion is the exception. The
pride (social group) is a closed family unit centered around related females,
averaging about 15 members. This family group usually consists of
5-10 females and their young and 2-3 territorial males that are brothers
or pride mates. A lions territory is determined by the size of the
pride and the availability of prey and water.
Females
do 85-90% of the hunting, usually at dusk, while males patrol the territory
and protect the pride. The males always eat first, getting the "lions
share" of the prey.
Lions
are also the laziest of the big cats, usually spending 16-20 hours a day
sleeping.
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