LION
The Lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae. It is the largest natural living felid with the exception of the tiger. The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, may weigh up to 250 kg (550 lb). Females are much smaller, weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb). In the wild lions live for around 10–14 years, while in captivity they can live over 20.
BEAHAVIOUR
Distribution map of lions in Africa
In historic times the habitat of lions spanned much of Eurasia, ranging from Eastern Europe to India, and all of Africa. Since the 2nd century AD, the lion has disappeared from Europe. Currently they are only numerous in Central Africa, but even there their number decreases.
The last remnant of the Asiatic Lion (subspecies Panthera leo persica), which in historical times ranged from Turkey to India through Iran (Persia), lives in the Gir Forest of northwestern India. About 300 lions live in a 1412 km² (558 square miles) sanctuary in the state of Gujarat.
Lions had become extinct in Greece, their last European outpost, by 100 AD. Other extinct subspecies are the Cape Lion, the European Cave Lion (subspecies Panthera leo spelaea) which coexisted with humans throughout the last Ice Age, and the American lion (subspecies Panthera leo atrox), a close relative of the European cave lion.
Behavior
Comparative view of the human and lion frames, c1860.
While a hungry lion will probably attack a human that passes near, some (usually male) lions seem to seek out human prey. Some of the more publicized cases include the Tsavo man-eaters and the Mfuwe man-eater. In both cases the hunters who slew the lions wrote books detailing the lions' "careers" as man-eaters. In folklore, man-eating lions are sometimes considered demons.
The Mfuwe and Tsavo incidents did bear some similarities. The lions in both the incidents were all larger than normal, lacked manes and seemed to suffer from tooth decay. Some have speculated that they might belong to an unclassified species of lion, or that they may have been sick and couldn't have easily caught prey.
There have also been recorded attacks on humans by lions in captivity.
consists of related females, their cubs of both sexes, and one or more males (often brothers) who mate with the adult females. Although it was once thought that females did most of the hunting in the pride, it is now known that males contribute much more to hunting than the amount for which they had been previously given credit. His hunting skills can be seen when we look at nomadic lions, who has yet to capture a pride of their own. Whoever kills the prey, however, the male usually eats his full first with the rest of the pride staying at respectful distance.
Both males and females will defend the pride against outside intruders. Typically, males will not tolerate outside males, and females will not tolerate outside females. Males are expelled from the pride or leave on their own when they reach maturity. The male lion has evolved to be a superb master and defender of his pride and territory. The mane of an adult male, which was never fully explained before, has now been shown by researches to provide protection during conflicts with other lions.
When or if a new male (or a coalition) takes over a pride and ousts the previous master(s), the conquerors often kill any remaining cubs. This is explained by the evolutionary pressures — the females would not become fertile and receptive until the cubs grow up or die. The male lions reach maturity at about 3 years of age and are capable of taking over another pride being 4-5 years old. They begin to age (and thus weaken) at around 8. This leaves very short window for their children to be born and mature — the fathers have to "get on with it" as soon as they take over the pride.
Sometimes a female may defend her and the ousted male's children from the new master, but such actions are rarely successful.
Attacks on humans
While a hungry lion will probably attack a human that passes near, some (usually male) lions seem to seek out human prey. Some of the more publicized cases include the Tsavo man-eaters and the Mfuwe man-eater. In both cases the hunters who slew the lions wrote books detailing the lions' "careers" as man-eaters. In folklore, man-eating lions are sometimes considered demons.
The Mfuwe and Tsavo incidents did bear some similarities. The lions in both the incidents were all larger than normal, lacked manes and seemed to suffer from tooth decay. Some have speculated that they might belong to an unclassified species of lion, or that they may have been sick and couldn't have easily caught prey.
There have also been recorded attacks on humans by lions in captivity.
Taxonomy
A male lion drinking water
Snarling African Lion
Asiatic Lioness Panthera leo persica, name MOTI, born in Helsinki Zoo (Finland) October 1994, arrived Bristol Zoo (England) January 1996. The Gir Forest in India is the natural home of the Asiatic lion but this animal was born in captivity.
The main differences between lion subspecies are location, size and mane appearance, however some of the forms listed below are debatable. Genetic evidence suggests that all modern lions derived from one common ancestor only ca. 55,000 years ago, therefore most sub-saharan lions could be considered a single subspecies. Notable exceptions would be the cape lion (P. l. melanochaita) and the kalahari lion (P. l. Verneyi).
• Panthera leo azandica - North East Congo lion.
• Panthera leo bleyenberghi - Katanga lion.
• Panthera leo europaea - European lion. Extinct around 100AD due to hunting and competition from feral dogs. From France to the Balkans.
• Panthera leo hollisteri - Congo lion.
• Panthera leo krugeri - South African lion.
• Panthera leo leo - Barbary lion; extinct in the wild. This was the largest of the lion subspecies, which ranged from Morocco to Egypt. The last wild Barbary lion was killed in Morocco in 1922 due to excessive hunting. Barbary lions were kept by Roman emperors, who ordered the capture of literally thousands of individuals to fight in the gladiator arenas. Roman notables, including Sulla, Pompey, and Julius Caesar, often ordered the mass slaughter of Barbary lions - up to 400 at a time. [1]
• Panthera leo massaicus - Massai lion.
• Panthera leo melanochaita - Cape lion; extinct in 1860.
• Panthera leo nubica - East African lion.
• Panthera leo persica - Asiatic lion. 200 currently exist in the Gir Forest of India. Once widespread from Turkey, across the Middle East, to India and Bangladesh, but large prides and daylight activity made it easier to poach than tigers or leopards.
• Panthera leo roosevelti - Abyssinian lion.
• Panthera leo senegalensis - West African lion, or Senegal lion.
• Panthera leo somaliensis - Somali lion.
• Panthera leo verneyi - Kalahari lion. Distinct behaviour and anatomy has been observed in this subspecies.
