One of the most recognizable animal symbols in human culture.

Without lions, our world would have been much darker. Often described as the "king of the beasts," this beautiful, iconic animal shines as a symbol of bravery, justice and protection.

And in the world today, two species remain. These are African lions and Asian lions. The Asian lion population is very small. Only about 600 live in or around the National Forest Park area of   the Indian state of Gujarat. The African lion is found in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is believed that less than 30,000 remain in the wild.

Species related to African and Asian lions once lived in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Scientists believe that the African lion as we know it today roamed the savannas and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa for about 124,000 years.

Thinks big

African lions can grow up to 10 feet in length from head to tail. They are heavy animals, weighing about 300 to 550 pounds. Males weigh more than females.

The lion's mane is also great. Only men have it. They can grow to about 8 inches long. The mane is considered a sign of dominance that helps attract females.

Asian lions are smaller than African lions. Males have a smaller mane that shows their ears.

Cohabitation

African lions typically live in "packs" of 10 to 15 animals on average. This group usually includes related females, cubs, males, or small groups of males that guard their pride and mate with females.

The herd's territory can span hundreds of square miles and includes pastures, shrubs, and open woodland. Herds often roar together to mark their territory. Young pups also form bonds, but they are so small that they only growl. This staggering session can last up to 90 seconds.

Parenting Basics

Male lions typically start breeding when they are 4 or 5 years old. This is when they can let go of their original pride, take care of others and breed with the lioness within them.

It's not uncommon for a male lion to kill all the proud cubs he wants to occupy. They do this later to avoid competition. Lions live between 15 and 16 years in the wild.

little lion

Lioness usually give birth to their first cubs when they are about 4 years old, after 12 weeks of gestation. The mother gives birth to the young from other members of the herd and hides the young for the first six weeks of life. Then they feel proud again. Newborn lions are small, completely dependent able on their mother.

Meat problem

Animals the size of antelope, zebra, and wildebeest are common prey. Lions are also opportunistic. They hunt and steal the death of other predators. They can eat a lot. Men can reach up to 90 pounds of meat per day. In dry areas, lions can spend several days without alcohol. They get most of their water from food and plants.

Key role

The lion is a key species. As major predators, they are the only wild animals in Africa large enough to prey on large herbivores such as elephants and giraffes. They also kill small herbivores such as buffalo, zebra and silkworm.

If herbivore populations are not controlled, there is less food available to all animal populations, including humans. Lions usually help keep the herd healthy as they prey on the sickest, weakest and oldest animals.

Wild descent

There are only 600 Asian lions left in the world. More than 300 of them live outside the Girl's Forest Reserve, putting the species on the brink of extinction.

The African lion is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is threatened by loss of habitat through land reclamation for human settlement and agriculture, loss of prey species, and conflict between humans and animals.

Lions have a very long history on Earth

The ancient Egyptians highly regarded the lion as a god of war because of its strength, strength, and ferocity. The Egyptian sphinx is a good example of the ancient lion representation in Egyptian culture. A lion's head also appears in many ancient works of art and jewelry.

 Lions walk in an unusual way

When a lion walks, the heels do not touch the ground. This is because the soles of the feet have big toes and pads that allow them to move without sound.

The birth process is kept secret.

Whatever the reason, a pregnant lioness will give birth to cubs away from the rest of pride. Then he will hide the pups from everyone else for the next six weeks.

They have an amazing vision

A lion's eye is six times more sensitive to light than a human eye. This means that their night vision is much better than that of some prey.

Lions are pretty good at rest

In fact, lions spend 16 to 20 hours a day simply resting or sleeping. It doesn't have many sweat glands, so the lion will simply lie down to conserve energy and watch the world unfold. They do most of their hunting during the day, but are most active during cool nights.