The Lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae.
The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, may weigh
up to 250 kg (550 lb). Females are much smaller, weighing
up to 180 kg (400 lb). In the wild lions live for around
10-14 years, whilst in captivity they can live over 20.
Lions are carnivores who live in family groups, called
prides, consisting of related females, their cubs of both
sexes, and an unrelated male who mates with the adult
females. The females do the hunting for the pride while
the males are largely occupied with maintaining the borders
of their territory. Males are expelled from the pride
when they reach maturity. When or if a male takes over
a pride and ousts the previous lead male, the conqueror
may kill any cubs left in the pride that are not his.Despite
being popularly known as the "king of the jungle",
the lion is an animal of the open plains, and can be found
throughout Africa. It is nevertheless a threatened species
with significant populations being limited to national
parks in Tanzania and South Africa.
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