Among all the animals with whom we share the planet, one invariably inspired respect for man and aroused admiration. He was endowed with all those qualities that were most valued in people - nobility, courage, courage of an undaunted fighter, loyalty and splendor. We are, of course, talking about the lion. The habitat of this predator, its appearance and habits are of interest not only to specialists. The symbolism of this powerful predator in the culture of all civilizations only confirms its legal status as the king of animals. Where does the lion live, on which continent are the representatives of this species the most, what are the features of its biology and vital activity - we will talk about this in this article.
Panthera leo
Lions are predatory mammals from the Felidae family. They belong to the subfamily big cats and belong to the genus panther, to which, in addition to them, include tigers, leopards and jaguars. With them, lions can form hybrid forms. This species has subspecies, both living and extinct. Subspecies differ in appearance, size, area and habitat of lions. We list only a few:
- The Persian or Indian subspecies (Panthera leo persica) is represented today by a population of 300 individuals that have been preserved in India (Gir Forest).
- Subspecies Senegalese (Panthera leo senegalensis), North Korean (Panthera leo azandica), Masai (Panthera leo nubica), Southwest African (Panthera leo bleyenberghi), Transvaal (Panthera leo krugeri) - make up lion populations in Africa. The habitat, appearance and size of representatives of subspecies slightly differ.
- The largest subspecies - the Barbary (Panthera leo leo) - is not found in the wild. The lions of this subspecies weighed more than 200 kilograms and had a body length of up to 3.3 meters. The lion's habitat was from Morocco to Egypt. The last representative was shot dead in 1922.
- Of the extinct subspecies fossils, cave lions are known . The habitat and their prevalence were quite wide (both America, Europe, China). All of them became extinct in the period from 300 to 10 thousand years ago.
Where can I meet a lion?
The map above shows the distribution range of these predators in the past and today. Back in the Middle Ages, Africa was not the only mainland where lions live. Modern predators in the wild are found mainly there, with the exception of a small population in Gujarat in India. And in Africa, the habitat of lions is very torn. But they could be found even in Russia up to 45 parallel.
Over the past century, the number of these predators has decreased by 50%. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. The main thing is the merciless extermination of lions by man. Both for self-defense and trophy hunting. Another reason is also related to people. This is an economic activity that has led to a significant reduction in the habitual habitat of lions - savannas and forests.
In captivity today contains about a thousand African and one hundred Asian lions. Since the time of Assyria, the Great Rome, the lion has been a favorite animal of menageries and circuses. Modern zoos participate in the international program "Plan for the survival of the species", which began in 1982 and today has formed a "reserve" population. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has recognized African lions as a vulnerable species, and the Asian lion is listed in the Red Book of the World as being on the verge of extinction. The conservation of these predators in nature is facilitated by the creation of protected areas and national parks. The largest national park where the lion's habitat is preserved is the Serengeti Park in Tanzania (about a thousand lions), Ashot in Namibia and the Kruger Park in the South African Republic.
Open space predator
African lions live in savannah territories - open spaces with grassy vegetation and rare trees, mainly acacias. Lions in India live in more woody areas - savannah and shrubbery. Therefore, the answer to the question of where the lion lives - in the savannah or in the rainforest, depends on the subspecies of the lion. In Africa, there are no forests as such, but lions love to soak up the afternoon in the shade of large trees. Lions realize their characteristics of a good hunter in the open spaces of the savannah.
Maximum predator
The centuries-old evolution has brought the fitness of lions to their habitat to perfection. Starting from the size and development of muscles, which led to the absence of natural enemies. And ending with the complex social organization of groups (prides). In addition, the features of the fitness of lions to the environment is:
- Protective color and short coat.
- The ability to do without water and food for a long time.
- Saving resources and energy - lions rest 20 hours a day, and hunt mainly at night.
- Group hunting for large prey.
- Powerful weapons in the form of teeth and claws.
- Long-term (up to 2 years) and touching care for offspring.
In more detail about how the lion adapts to its environment, we explain with examples and a description of the life of this predator.
Optimal beauty
Lion is a large predatory cat. The eternal debate about who is larger - lions or tigers - is absolutely not significant. In terms of size and armament, these closely related species are on the same level of the food chain. Moreover, at the very top.
The size of the male lion at the withers reaches 125 centimeters, the length of the body is up to 2.5 meters, weight varies between 170-250 kilograms. Females are somewhat smaller and do not have a mane covering the head and partially the breast of males.
The jaws are armed with 8-centimeter fangs, and the legs are equipped with 7-centimeter claws. Well-developed muscles allow them to reach speeds of up to 80 km / h, however, for short distances. That is why lions attack prey from an ambush, approaching it as close as possible.
The color of lions depends on the subspecies and varies from dark brown to light yellow. The lower body is lighter, and the tip of the tail is dark or black. Coloring plays a role in disguising a predator and allows it to get quite close to prey.
Flea decoration or pillow
Lions are the only feline with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Exclusively males have a magnificent mane on the head and neck. It is the mane that gives the lion a kingdom so beloved by people. But for an animal, it is rather a burdensome acquisition. Besides the fact that it is home to many parasites and an additional scarf in hot tropics, the mane interferes with hunting. So why evolution has awarded such a decoration to this predator?
Only in the open spaces of the savannah could such an evolutionary acquisition appear in this feline species. What supported this natural selection? The main thing is that mane is an indicator of the sexual maturity of the male and the amount of testosterone. Sex hormones stimulate hair growth and color. The thicker and darker the mane of a lion is, the more aggressive, well-fed and healthy the male is. Testosterone is also responsible for the formation of muscle mass, and hence for success in obtaining food.
In addition, the mane visually enlarges the cat. This gives certain advantages in fierce battles between males for the right to own a female. And when defending their territories, a huge male often triumphs over a smaller one even before entering into an open conflict.
Social cats
Among feline lions are not only pronounced sexual dimorphism. But their social organization - only they live mainly in groups.
A group of lions - a pride - can reach 40 animals. But more often it is 4-5 females with cubs and one (rarely two) males. In the pride, each lion has its own responsibilities. Females hunt more often, and the male patrols the territory. Nonetheless, although the prey is preyed by females that hunt in groups, its main section is the lion. It is he who eats the first and will rather share with the cubs than with the females. Pride, where the majority are females, allows for the care and protection of offspring by those females who do not take part in the hunt.
Lions also have other groups - they consist exclusively of males who, at the age of 2-3 years, were expelled from the pride where they were born, the main lion. These wandering lions usually live less and die more often.
Lion hunting - a cruel sight
These strong and heavy predators are nocturnal . A group of lionesses creeps up to prey, reducing the distance to it to 30 meters. This is followed by a powerful throw, and - if successful - the victim dies from a fracture of the cervical vertebrae or asphyxiation.
Lions are large herbivores weighing from 50 to 500 kilograms (wildebeests, warthogs, zebras, buffaloes). An attack on larger giraffes, rhinos, and elephants is fraught with trauma to hunters, so lions rarely attack them. But here their cubs and all other edible objects easily fall into the category of mining pride of lions.
For an adult male, 8 kilograms of meat per day is enough, and 5 is enough for a female to maintain her body. But since not every hunt is successful, a lion in one sitting can eat up to 30 kilograms of meat. But lions can do without food for quite a long time.
In addition, lions rarely go to a watering place. Most likely, because they replenish the supply of water with food.
Accelerated Life
The life cycle of a lion cub begins with its birth. For 2 years, the lioness will take care of him, teach him to hunt. After 2 years, if it is a male, he will be expelled from the pride and turn into an itinerant loner.
His life will be exposed to the dangers of unsuccessful solitary hunting and hunger, constant skirmishes with the same wanderers and owners of prides. If he is lucky and can recapture the pride, he will kill the descendants of the previous lion and leave many of his own.
He will protect the lionesses and the territory until he has the strength and will not be replaced by a younger and stronger lion. Decapitated and old at the age of 10-14 he will be expelled from his family and will die of starvation in the expanses of the savannah.
If it is a female, then from this age she becomes sexually mature and will bring kittens from the main male pride every 2 years. Unless, of course, does not die on the hunt.