Distinguishing features
Size
- Up to 250 cm (Length excluding tail) - applies to Males
- Up to 175 cm (Length excluding tail) - applies to Females
Weight
- Up to 250 kg
Synonyms
Distribution and habitat preferences
Wild lions currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia (where an endangered remnant population resides in Gir Forest National Park in India).
In Africa, lions can be found in savanna grasslands with scattered Acacia trees, which serve as shade. Their habitat in India is a mixture of dry savanna forest and very dry deciduous scrub forest. (Wikipedia)
Behaviour
Lions spend much of their time resting and are inactive for about 20 hours per day. Although lions can be active at any time, their activity generally peaks after dusk with a period of socializing, grooming, and defecating. Intermittent bursts of activity follow through the night hours until dawn, when hunting most often takes place. They spend an average of two hours a day walking and 50 minutes eating. (Wikipedia)
Diet
The prey consists mainly of medium-sized mammals, with a preference for wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, and warthogs in Africa and nilgai, wild boar, and several deer species in India. (Wikipedia)
