Descriptions and Facts About Lions

The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the largest and strongest cats in the world. Lion size almost equal to the size of the Siberian tiger. The lion is the largest cats that live on the African continent. Unique differences that exist between lions and other big cat species are lions tend to live in one group, while the other types of cats are solitary. Although it was once a lion once roamed across Africa and even parts of Europe and Asia, the population of lions left in the world today simply are in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the lion population is thought to have dropped by 30% over the last 20 years due to the loss of their natural habitat.

The lion has a short fur coat with brown or golden color with a long tail that has a tuft of fur at the end. No patterns or spots on the lion fur like in other big cat species. This helps these large carnivores is not visible when stalking prey in long grassland. The lion is one of the largest cats in the world with a stud whose size is taller and heavier than females. Male lion also has a mane of long hair around their faces, while the lioness did not. The lion has a strong jaw with 30 teeth with four canines are used to tear meat prey. The lion had a large and sharp claws that help them when running and climbing to catch prey or to defend themselves. Front and rear foot structure they also allow the lion to be able to jump with a distance of over 10 meters.

Historically, the lions were once found throughout Africa and even in some parts of Europe and Asia as well. Yet today, they have been pushed into a smaller area that is only found in countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although their numbers have been greatly reduced, and the lion is actually very adaptable animals in environments with very dry climate. They prefer open forest, scrub, and grassland long where they can hide well and there are also many preys. The lion is not found in the rain forest areas or far into the desert.