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