13 interesting facts about lions
- Visually, the male lion is highly distinctive and is easily recognized by its mane. The lion, particularly the face of the male, is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture.
- Lions usually live in groups, known as ‘Prides’. However, many males and few females lead a nomadic life also.
- The number of males in a pride can vary from just one to as many as seven.
- There can be up to 40 members in a pride, with over half of them being cubs and young adults.
- Lions do not eat an entire kill in most of the cases. Other predators, like hyenas and vultures, have been known to finish the kill of a lion.
- The largest lion till date was almost 11 feet long and weighed nearly 700 pounds.
- The lionesses who do not take part in the hunt ‘baby-sit’ the cubs.
- The male lions of a group hardly hunt. The lionesses are the ones who hunt and bring the food for the entire pride.
- After eating, a thirsty lion may drink for as long as 20 minutes.
- The eyesight of a lion is five times better than that of a human. It can even hear a prey from a distance of one mile.
- Lion is the only member of the cat family to have a tassel at the tip of the tail.
- Lionesses usually stay with the pride throughout their life. However, young lions are driven out.
- Lions as well as lionesses rub each other in greeting.
