These large cats from ancient times inspired the whole humanity to respect themselves, subduing our imagination. Did you recognize them? Of course, these are African lions. We honor these animals, endow them with the best human qualities: courage, nobleness, loyalty and power. But folklore, folklore, and do not forget that lions are dangerous predatory cats, capable of everything for the sake of profit. How do they behave in the wild? Find out!
Undisputed Lord of the Beasts
Why are African lions endowed with “royal” powers and considered leaders among all modern land animals? Firstly, they have a rather regal look. Secondly, with the word “lion” in our imagination, first of all, a large maned cat appears in the prime of life. Thirdly, it is impossible not to take the unique black-brown or dark-golden mane of a lion seriously, because it is she who gives him the greatness of the monarch!
No less impressive voice have these magnificent animals. For example, on a quiet night, the lion's roar terrifies everyone who hears it at a distance of up to 8 kilometers. African lions show many royal qualities in their behavior. In the ordinary state, these predators are majestically sociable and good-natured, except when they protect their prey or their family. Nevertheless, some scientists doubt the vaunted nobleness of these animals: males quite often take prey from their own females and eat enough of it.
Where do African lions live?
As their name implies, these predators inhabit mainly the savannahs of Africa, but they can also move to shrubbery or even forests. Once they inhabited the territory of Europe, the Middle and Middle East, as well as India. Unfortunately, the development of animal husbandry in the world contributed to a reduction in the population of these animals, which, in turn, pushed them exclusively to the South. Currently, these animals trample the lands of Africa south of the Sahara desert, and in India are kept in the Garsky Forest Sanctuary.
Second largest after tiger
The African lion is a predatory mammal, one of four representatives of the genus of large cats called panther. Is the second largest modern wild cat after the tiger. The mass of some lions can reach 250 kilograms, and the length is 3 meters. As a rule, females are an order of magnitude smaller than males: their body length does not exceed 2.2 meters, and their weight fluctuates around 140 kilograms.
Lions living in Africa are the only cats that can be easily distinguished from each other externally and by gender: lionesses do not have a mane. These truly magnificent animals possess tremendous physical power. For example, an adult lion with one paw stroke can knock down a three hundred kilogram zebra from its feet! Lions differ from other large cats in that they live in related groups of several males and females. Scientists call these communities prides.
How is their pride arranged?
These African animals (lions and lionesses) are collective inhabitants. Usually their flock (pride) includes 2-3 males, as well as several lionesses with cubs. Each such family has its own leader. It does not have to be a large and strong animal. The main thing here is to be a leader by nature, then the rest of the pride males will recognize you and will respect you. The leader, in turn, must be patient and good-natured to all members of the pride. Usually the number of one lion's flock ranges from 5 to 40 animals.
Zoologists claim that all lionesses within the same pride are interconnected by family ties. They are sisters for each other, mothers, cousins, daughters, granddaughters, grandmothers. As a rule, lionesses born in the pack remain in it until the end, but if the group grows rapidly, then the pride can be divided into two parts. Females together take care of their offspring and strangers, protect their possessions, hunt and eat food together.
But not always in the lion family everything is sweet, but smooth. African lions are not always supportive of their females. Soulless males can simply take food from females and their own children until they get enough of themselves. The lion-leader does not protect the aged or sick members of the pride, but, on the contrary, drives him out of the pack. If the leader himself becomes old and aged, he will become food for hyenas. Such a difficult relationship. Who said the lion is a noble creature?
How do they hunt?
Food in the life of these predators, as in the life of any other animals, is of paramount importance. The obligation to obtain food within the pride is assigned to the females, while the males are responsible for the safety of their family, and also participate in procreation. One pack of lionesses hunts in their own group. Their prey is large ungulate animals, for example, antelopes. They get food in three different ways:
- independent day hunting of African lions;
- taking food from other animals;
- eating carrion (already dead animals).
Lionesses usually hunt in the daytime, but with a strong feeling of hunger, they do this around the clock. In such a period, they attack not only large ungulates, but also hippos, birds, hares, mice, people ... As soon as the lionesses notice the victim, they very quietly get closer to it and then deliver a sudden and lightning strike. As soon as the prey is stunned, her relatives come to the aid of the lioness.
How old are lions?
In nature, these predators, like ordinary cats, live from 10 to 15 years. In captivity, African lions (circus, zoo) live up to 25 years. As a rule, males in the wild rarely survive at least 10 years. It is understandable: fierce battles with other lions leave their mark on this. As mentioned above, the numbers of these African predators are inevitably declining. Over the past 20 years, their population has declined by 40%.
Lion in human culture
No wonder the ancient Egyptians depicted a lion as a symbol of divine power and royal dignity (remember the Sphinx?). The ancient Greeks and Assyrians generally saw goddesses as companions in these majestic animals. It is believed that in early Christian folklore and art, the lion could symbolize Jesus Christ himself. In the Middle Ages, these predators adorned the coats of arms of many houses belonging to monarchs and nobles.