7 Interesting Facts About Lions
Lions are large cats known for their prominent manes and superior hunting skills. They live in groups called prides, consisting of a few adult males, related females, and cubs. The lion lives in grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. If you want to learn more about these incredible apex predators, check out these seven interesting facts about lions below.
7. Not all lions have manes
Starting our list of facts about lions is their manes. While the manes might be the most recognizable feature of lions, some lions are maneless. Present in both females and males, the lion’s mane comes down to genetics and environmental adaptations. For instance, a male lion that has too much stress or lower testosterone levels can lose their mane, just like hair loss in human males.
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6. Lions only eat twice a week
Sixth on our list of interesting facts about lions is how often they eat. On average, adult lionesses eat around 11 pounds of meat per day, while adult males consume 17.5 pounds. But, lions rarely eat every day and will instead eat up to 110 pounds in one sitting, allowing them to wait three to four days before hunting again. Lions often go for animals like zebras and wildebeest, but also feed on mice, birds, hares, and lizards.
5. Lions used to live in Europe
Next on our list of interesting facts about lions is their history in Europe. While it may be hard to believe, scientists have found proof that lion populations were once so extensive that they stretched into Europe. Living mostly in southern Europe, scientists were able to find fossils of the now-extinct animals, which were hinted at in classical European literature, art, and other accounts. These lions would have been adapted for the colder environments compared to their southern counterparts.
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4. Lion cubs are reared together
Fourth on our list of interesting facts about lions is the process of childcare. A pride is made mostly of related females and their cubs, with just a few males who defend the group. When cubs are born, they are raised by the lionesses together, with cubs suckling from any female with milk. They do this to protect against threats like hyenas and infanticide by males, and instill social and survival skills in the cubs.
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3. Lions hunt during storms
Rounding out the top three facts about lions is their unusual hunting preferences. Lions often hunt mostly at night, since their eyes are adapted to the dark, which gives them a huge advantage over prey. But lions also hunt during storms. The noise, rain, and wind make it harder for prey to see and hear them, increasing the chances of having a successful hunt. Lions also hunt in packs to corral their prey before killing them.
2. Not all lions live in Africa
Second on our list of interesting facts about lions is the difference between African and Asiatic lions. While lions are most often connected to Africa, there is a group of lions living in Asia, primarily in India’s Gir Forest. They are slightly smaller than the African lions and have a distinctive fold of skin running lengthwise along their bellies. Asiatic lions live in dense forests, and used to roam from the Middle East to India, but now are a critically endangered species with around 350 lions remaining.
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1. A lion’s roar can be heard eight kilometers away
Last but not least on our list of interesting facts about lions is their impressive roar. The loudest out of all the big cats, the roar can be heard as far as five miles away. The sound reaches up to 114 decibels, which is louder than a chainsaw. Roars are used to communicate with the pride, mark territory, and intimidate any rivals or potential threats who come too close to the main group. They can roar so loudly due to a specialized larynx and vocal cords that allow air to pass more easily through their throat.
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