Today there are many stories and legends about the lifestyle of the king of animals. But in order to distinguish the truth from the fiction regarding how and where the lions live, you need to thoroughly understand the issue. Indeed, among the many animals of our planet, these predators stand out by their extraordinary strength and power. The majestic mane and deafening roar give the lion a truly royal look. And even in the behavior of this animal there are unique royal manners.
Serious predator
No matter where the lions live - in the wild or in captivity - they always remain themselves. These are huge, powerful predators, perfectly controlling their mobile, flexible and muscular body. They run very quickly and deftly. These predatory cats have powerful jaws and large teeth, allowing you to hold even such rather large representatives of the animal world as wildebeests. Using claws to break prey into pieces for lions is not a problem at all. However, this is not all! It turns out that the tongue of the beast is studded with thorns, which allows him to take good care of his skin, catching fleas and removing ticks.
Of course, a lot depends on what continent the lion lives on: its lifestyle, the variety of food it gets, and even its appearance. Today in the wild, this animal can be found in Africa and Asia. However, on the planet there is also a namesake of a land predator - a sea lion. And although their names are similar, the animals themselves are very, very different from each other, and it is completely impossible to mix them up.
Lifestyle
Leo is a representative of cats, which is able to blink at the sun without blinking. For this they call him the king of beasts. The way lions live, how they survive in natural conditions and in the fight against humans deserves due respect and attention.
These predators live in families, the so-called prides. They consist, as a rule, of one or two males, several lionesses and lion cubs. Adult lions are busy protecting the pride's habitat, as cases of encroachment by single males occur quite often. Lionesses are engaged in hunting and raising offspring. Lions spend days playing and tumbling, developing the dexterity and speed that they will need in the future. The average number of prides is about twenty individuals.
Lion possessions extend to tens of square kilometers of open spaces, as well as territories covered by thickets.
It is very important that many ungulate animals live in the lions' possessions. After all, the abundance of food of predatory cats depends on their quantity.
Asian lion
It is not difficult to guess where the lions, which are called Asiatic, live. Their habitats are located on the territory of the Gir Forest in northwestern India. This subspecies of the cat family is sometimes also called Indian, Bengal or Persian.
Asian lions are quite similar to their African relatives, but they are much inferior to them in size and body weight. In addition, the color of the coat ranges from reddish-brown to gray and black.
The area of Indian lions is only 1412 km 2 , and no more than 359 individuals live on it. These wild cats hunt in stunted forests alternating with fields. It is hard to say exactly how many lions live in these territories. Now most of these lands are gradually being conquered by people. Predators had to give them many of their hunting spots.
Survival of indian lions
Today, Indian lions have to share their territories not only with people, but also with other wild cats - Indian leopards and Bengal tigers. But a few centuries ago they dominated right up to the very shores of Greece. There have been cases of encounters of individual individuals even along the Don River. According to ancient legends, on the territory of Russia, the last Bengal lion was destroyed by Prince Igor himself in the 10th century.
As early as 1907, only thirteen species remained of these animals. But with incredible efforts, man managed to keep them in captivity. In a protected reserve where lions live today, experts are constantly fighting for the life of these animals.
African lions
African lions live in Central Africa. Their possessions include the territory of the savannah, containing huge vital watering places. The main decoration of the males of these perfect animals is the mane covering the head, chest and neck. The length of their body reaches 240 cm, and the mass is 230 kg. The height and weight of the lionesses is slightly smaller. The hair of these wild cats is short and thick. Unlike their Asian relatives, their skin color ranges from light yellow to rich sand. The manes of males are slightly darker than the main color.
Regardless of which continent the lion lives on, in Eurasia or Africa, the problem of their destruction by humans is the same. After all, about twenty years ago, these African predators, there were more than 230 thousand. Today, their numbers have decreased tenfold. The reason for this is human animosity. Due to the frequent attack of lions on livestock, the population uses poisonous baits or weapons to combat them. This was the reason for the catastrophic reduction in the number of these animals.
Life span of the king of beasts
Speaking about saving the life of wild cats, one cannot help but think about how many lions live in the wild. However, if we compare these predators with other animals, then their life span is rather small. Unlike captive lions, in the wild lions in rare cases survive to thirty years. After all, by the age of fifteen they are very weak, which does not allow them to maintain their power over the family. In addition, many individuals do not live up to this age due to fights with other males. Lionesses have a longer lifespan.
There are frequent cases when lions die during fights with crocodiles, which are their only natural and deadly enemies. Between them is an eternal struggle. If a lion can destroy a crocodile on land, then a crocodile will take revenge on him in the aquatic environment.
Pride Power
Lion's favorite treat is meat. However, it serves as the main food that this animal consumes. A lion alone eats about fifteen large animals a year, the average weight of which reaches one hundred kilograms. Interestingly, the main livelihood providers are lionesses. But when the meal begins, the leader of the pride comes to food first. It is he who chooses the tidbit for himself, and the rest is eaten by females and young people. The lion family dines once every three days. Each member can eat about eighteen kilograms of meat. After the meal, the pride goes to a watering place. After a solid dinner, the family goes to sleep, which can last about twenty hours.
It is noteworthy that in the habitats and hunting of wild cats there are always flocks of hyenas or jackals. And often the lion prides generously share the extracted food with them.
Lion hunt
Most often, lions prey on deer, zebras, antelopes, sometimes giraffes. At the same time, other similar animals are not an exception. In the daytime, the Lion Pride tries to relax in the shade, and when it gets dark, he goes hunting. As a rule, a family of four at least once a week produces a large animal for itself. The lion, who is assigned a special role during the hunt, scares and distracts the attention of the victim. His relatives are in ambush, hiding in the grass and slowly crawling. Young lions usually perform special bloody work, and the old male leads the overall process.
However, most often it is the lionesses who are the prey for the pride. They surround the animal that attracted him and slowly approach him. Having chosen the moment, one of the lionesses with a strong blow of large paws knocks the victim down and bites her teeth into the throat. One attack out of four ends successfully for hunters. As soon as the lionesses attacked the prey, the male lion appears in all its glory, which, cleverly jumping, can reach a speed of up to 60 km / h.
Breeding and offspring
Lions are very loving animals. Maybe that's why they breed at any time of the year. For mating, the male takes his girlfriend away from the place where the lions live. In Africa, unlike Asian relatives, a leader can have from four to six lionesses. When the gestational age of a female is three and a half months, she leaves the family to give birth to offspring. For this, the lioness chooses a nook in the thick of shrubs.
Lion cubs are born blind and helpless. Their skin is covered with spots that disappear as they grow older. The average number of babies born ranges from three to five individuals, but no more than half survive to adulthood. Lion cubs feed on breast milk, but at the age of seven months they begin to eat meat. The kids will join the pride after two months. Lions are considered adults only at the age of five.
Sea lions
Speaking of lions, one cannot help but recall their water namesakes - sea lions. These pinnipeds, having no resemblance to wild cats, have a lot in common with cats. The only difference is that they do not attempt long-distance migrations and remain wintering on their shores. Where sea lions live, there are no huge territories with lush greenery, and there are no hot days like in savannahs. Almost all of these animals live in the cold waters of the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, as well as in the southern parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Their places of residence include the coast of North America in the California Peninsula, the Galapagos Islands, as well as the southeastern part of the Sea of Japan.
Sea lions feed on fish. Sometimes, in order to catch her, they have to dive to a depth of ninety meters. Also, the diet of these pinnipeds may include mollusks and crustaceans.