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