| The African Lion (Panthera leo krugeri) is quite | | | | When the lions are not hunting or eating, they |
| possibly the most popular among the four "Big | | | | usually spend the other 20-21 hours in the day |
| Cats". However, unlike the tiger, the jaguar, and | | | | doing nothing. However, things get a little bit |
| the leopard, the lion does not have any colour | | | | dangerous in the pride during mating season. The |
| pattern on its fur. The body markings on these | | | | males turn quite aggressive. Younger and less |
| cats are apparently ideal for the habitats they | | | | dominant male lions will usually leave during these |
| generally reside in. In other words, the tiger needs | | | | times, to fight for supremacy over other prides. |
| his stripes to hide in the forest, while the lion's | | | | What usually happens is a confrontation between |
| tan-coloured fur is just right for blending in with | | | | these younger males and the elder male of a |
| the grass of the African plains. | | | | pride. If the elder male wins, the younger male |
| Lions are the only cats that live together in | | | | leaves to try his luck elsewhere. If it is the other |
| groups called prides. Prides may consist of as | | | | way around, the elder male leaves, and the |
| many as 30 lions; adult males, females and cubs. | | | | younger male eliminates all of his offspring. This |
| You can easily tell them apart - it is a well known | | | | way only the younger male's offspring would rule |
| fact that the males are the ones with the manes. | | | | the pride, if ever he defends it long enough for |
| These manes serve other purposes than just | | | | this to happen. |
| visual appeal. While the male lion rarely joins the | | | | Over history many have been amazed with the |
| females in a hunt, his primary responsibility is to | | | | actions of the beautiful and deadly African lion. But |
| protect the pride. The manes make them look | | | | there are also some which find these creatures a |
| bigger, serving as intimidation against anything that | | | | threat. All African lions regardless of age do not |
| dares to pose a threat. Also, as a male lion | | | | necessarily have predators above them in the |
| reaches sexual maturity, his mane grows and | | | | food chain. When a pride is in the vicinity of a |
| becomes darker. This would make the male more | | | | human settlement, and if there are no other |
| attractive to the female lions. | | | | options, lions may resort to attacking the humans' |
| As previously mentioned, the female lion does | | | | domestic livestock, or even the humans |
| most of the hunting. Their targets include zebras, | | | | themselves. |
| wildebeest, and Cape buffalo, among other | | | | African lions have not only been targets for |
| ungulates. The intelligence of these beasts is | | | | hunting, but many have been captured for other |
| overwhelming. They rely on stealth, creeping | | | | reasons since ancient history. Assyrian kings took, |
| closer and closer to a herd. When the lionesses | | | | kept and bred lions as pets as early as 850 BC. |
| are within around 100 ft, they charge with | | | | Monarchs and other people in power have also |
| surprising speeds (up to 80 km/h or 50mph over | | | | used lions as pets. Many Roman authorities have |
| short distances). They would then knock their | | | | also utilized African lions in the Coliseum, pitting |
| prey down with bites to the neck and throat. | | | | them against gladiators or using them as |
| But if sneaking close and suddenly pouncing on the | | | | executioners. |
| prey is not effective, these wily beasts make use | | | | As early as the 1300's, African lions were |
| of more advanced tactics to gain the upper hand. | | | | features of exhibit for the elite in menageries, |
| Female lions usually work in groups of four. Let's | | | | now known as zoos. As time passed by, |
| say they have a herd of impala in their sights. | | | | menageries ceased to be exclusive displays for |
| Two of them would openly approach the herd to | | | | the rich and became more a public attraction, and |
| scare them. The sight of these lions, won't take | | | | in turn the demand for more enclosures for public |
| much for them to panic and run away. However, | | | | animals were needed. |
| it's all part of their strategy: These two lions have | | | | African lions were one of those species which |
| scared the herd to run in a direction leading to | | | | were not spared from the curiosity of the world. |
| where the other two females are hiding and | | | | It was not until the recent century where the |
| waiting. They can easily pick out a laggard and | | | | conditions of lions in captivity have improved. |
| take it down. | | | | Certain details were gradually implemented to |
| Regardless of how these lionesses catch dinner | | | | ensure that the environment of the areas where |
| for the pride, there is always a certain order as | | | | they were detained were close to if not identical |
| to who goes first in eating. The dominant males | | | | to the habitat where they originally lived in. |
| are always first. The lionesses follow, and the | | | | Though it is true that the African lion may live |
| cubs eventually get the leftovers. The males | | | | longer in captivity, it does not necessarily have |
| would eat first so they can watch for scavengers | | | | the freedom to move around as much as it did |
| (Spotted Hyenas are definitely notorious for | | | | before. The African countries are joining with the |
| freeloading) while the tired females and young | | | | rest of the world in the effort of conservation of |
| cubs have their share. | | | | this mighty creature. |