🦁 Lion
The only truly social big cat, living in prides; males to ~250 kg, roars heard ~8 km. Wild populations survive in Africa and India's Gir Forest.
| Aliases | King of Beasts, King of the Jungle (misnomer) |
|---|---|
| Entity type | 🦁 Animal |
| Permanent ID | E030 |
| Parent topic | Nature & Wildlife |
| Wikidata | Q140 |
| Wikipedia | Lion |
About Lion
The lion (Panthera leo) is the only big cat that lives in family groups: prides of related lionesses, their cubs, and a coalition of males. Lionesses do most hunting, usually cooperatively at night; males defend the territory.
Once ranging across Europe, the Middle East and India, lions now hold a fraction of their historic range — Africa's savannas plus India's Gir Forest — making the species both a heraldic icon and a conservation priority.
Timeline
| Ice Age | Cave lions range across Europe and the Americas. |
| 1758 | Linnaeus names Felis leo (now Panthera leo). |
| 1960s-70s | Schaller's Serengeti studies decode pride society. |
| Today | Low tens of thousands in the wild; Gir recovering. |
Famous Examples & Highlights
- Only social big cat
- Roar carries ~8 km
- Lionesses hunt, males defend
- Gir Forest = last Asiatic lions
Relationships
| Habitat | African Savanna |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Panthera leo |
Parent & Child Topics
Parent: Nature & Wildlife
Opposite & Comparison Entities
See Also & Related
See Also
Related Places
Related Quizzes
Lion Quiz Endangered Animals Quiz
Covered In These Guides
Full guides and practice quizzes: Lion Quiz, Endangered Animals Quiz.