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Common Name
African Lion
Scientific Name
Panthera leo - Seven subspecies: Angolan lion, Asi
Distribution
African continent (southern Sahara to South Africa, excluding Congo rain forest belt)
Habitat
Varied, from rich grasslands of East Africa to sand of Kalahari Desert
Diet
Animals weighing 110 to 1100 lbs (50-500 kg)
Size
Head-body length: 8.5-10.8 ft (2.6-3.3 m) (male), 8-9 ft (2.4-2.7 m) (female); Tail length: 2-3.3 ft (60-100 cm) (male and female); Weight: 330-530 lb (150-240 kg), 270-300 lb (122-182 kg)
Gestation
100-119 days
Longevity
Approx. 15 years (longer in captivity)
Behavior
Females do most of the hunting. Roar can be heard 5 miles away. Can reach speeds of 36 mph (58 km).
Endangered Status
Endangered (Asiatic lion only) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Interesting Facts
Males have manes on cheeks and throat, some species have manes on shoulders and bellies. Young lions have leopard like markings. A pride usually consists of 4-12 related adult females, their offspring and 1-6 adult males.
Suggested Readings
Bertram, Brian. Pride Of Lions. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978.Macdonald, David. The Encyclopedia Of Mammals. New York: Facts On File Publications, 1984.
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