Habitat
Lions live in Asia and southern and eastern Africa mostly. Lions also live in dry hills. They sleep in trees sometimes when it’s very hot. They are also found in south Sahara desert.
Appearance
They have light yellow-brown coats. Male lions have thick brown or black manes. Their manes protect them while fighting. It prevents the claws and teeth of another lion from getting in. They are 4 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet long. They weigh 330 to 500 pounds. Their top speed is 50 miles per hour.
Diet
Lions feed on wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo and wild hogs. Sometimes they eat rhinos and hippos. They also eat hares, birds and reptiles. If food is scarce, they are known to eat elephants.
Birth and Growth
The litter size is 3 to 4 cubs. Cubs don’t have a mane when born. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months, and they stay with their mothers for 2 years. They are vulnerable to predators such as leopards, hyenas and black-backed jackals.
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