Many, many centuries ago, the Asiatic lion (also called the Indian lion) lived on a vast territory - from northeastern India to modern Italy, as well as in Iran, on the Arabian Peninsula, in the northern regions of Africa, Greece. It was these animals that fought gladiators in the arenas of the amphitheaters of Rome. Hunting predators was considered a very prestigious affair, albeit a dangerous one. But another time has come. People armed themselves with more advanced weapons, and the lions ceased to interest them.
Where is the Asian lion now living?
Currently, this ferocious beast can be seen only in one corner of the globe (in the natural environment, not counting zoos). The Asian lion lives in India, in the state of Gujarat. The area of the reserve is small - only 1400 square kilometers.
In 2011, there were four hundred and eleven individuals in this territory. This is fifty two lions more than in 2005, which cannot but rejoice.
The appearance of a predator
A very formidable beast is the Asian lion. Description of it will not convey the power and strength that is hidden in it. This is truly a powerful and beautiful animal. Interestingly, the Asian lion is slightly smaller than the African one. They have different manes. The "Africans" she is more magnificent. The weight of males reaches one hundred and sixty - one hundred and ninety kilograms. Females are a bit smaller, their body weight, as a rule, does not exceed one hundred and twenty kilograms.
But the growth at the withers reaches one hundred and five centimeters. Imagine only: the body length ranges from 2.2 to 2.4 meters. The maximum value is 2.92 meters. Color ranges from brown-red to gray-sand. Asiatic lion (photos are given in the article), as we see, a very large and strong animal.
The behavior of Asian lions
The Asian lion is a social animal. Predators live in family groups called prides. However, Asian flocks are small. This is because in Asia, production is much smaller in size. So, only two lionesses can hunt for an ungulate animal , and not six. Males only protect the territory and reproduce the genus. These are their responsibilities. Only lionesses get food. So the males settled pretty well.
Asian prides number 8-12 animals, and in African there can be up to thirty cats (these are females, males and calves). There can be no more than two males in a group, mainly brothers. One of them always dominates, both in battle with the enemy, and when choosing a female. The basis of the pride is made up of female individuals who are related and, most interestingly, friendly relations. The group retains its existence for several years.
Pride lives in a certain territory, which is assigned to itself. Its size depends on the amount of production, the size of the group and can cover up to four hundred square kilometers.
Males, having reached two or three years of age, leave the family. They either remain single, or unite with their peers and wander around the pride, waiting for the moment when the leader weakens, then they will capture the group and hold it for a couple of years. It is easier for several males to defend their pride than for one lion.
Here, their own, often cruel laws reign ... Having captured a group, the male first of all destroys the lion cubs. Lionesses usually cannot influence the situation. Only cubs older than one year have a chance to survive. After the death of the offspring, the female calms down after a couple of weeks and then gives birth to new leaders. This behavior of lions gives them the opportunity to acquire their own offspring. Since the leaders change every three to four years, then leaving other cubs to live, they simply would not have time to raise their own.
The number of Asian lions
As already mentioned, the Asian lion is distributed in Eurasia, in northeast India, in the Gir forests. After mass extermination in the 19th century. their number fell markedly, in 1884, graceful beauties were already found only in the west of Hindustan. After 14 years, the Nawab Junagadha proclaimed their guard.
But even today, despite all attempts to preserve the species, the population of the Asiatic lion is very low, which causes natural alarm. At the end of the twentieth century, they even opened a special program for breeding animals in the forests of North America. An important factor is also the preservation of the purity (genetic) of this species. And this means that you can’t cross Asian and African brothers, as the Asian lion is less common in nature. It may simply be "lost" among the inhabitants of the African savannah.
Girsky reserve
In the Girsky reserve, successes were achieved in increasing the population of lions. The management of the state in which the reserve is located does not plan to transfer a single animal to menageries of other states. Since this animal is unique, the reserve has various privileges. And if lions become commonplace in other places, then the situation can radically change.
In particular, one can remain without state support. However, in any case, the number of lions is gradually increasing, and therefore there will certainly come a time when some of them will leave the territory of the conservation zone and move to new territories.
African lions
In Africa, lions lived well until the beginning of the twentieth century. When safari of European guests came into fashion, there was a thoughtless extermination of many animals. In general, the decrease in the number of species occurred much earlier, during the period of the appearance of firearms.
In general, the most favorable habitat for lions is the savannah, the landscape of which is open and perfectly visible, which means it is convenient for hunting. These lands are rich in watering holes and prey. However, lions can adapt to any conditions. Lack of food and food will not lead to extinction. Until the time of their total extermination came, the animals quietly lived in the semi-deserts, and in the foothills, and on the hot coasts.
Predator Nutrition
Usually, an Asian lion rests in the shade during the day, and hunts at night. Prey for him are zebras, antelopes, warthogs. Ninety percent of all food is mined by lionesses. Males are larger and therefore not so successful in hunting, but they start to eat first, while driving away females and cubs. Lionesses from one pride hunt together and act very harmoniously.
Not all attacks are successful, but a woman needs up to five kilograms of meat a day, and a male needs seven. Lions may not eat for three days. But then, when they get food, they can eat up to thirty kilograms at a time. During or after meals, animals must quench their thirst.
When a period of drought begins, most ungulates leave to look for water, and predators begin to hunt small animals, crocodiles and even snakes. They are able to eat and carrion. Their nutrition system is such that the strongest eats. In the dry period, members of the same pride fight each other for each bone.
Bestial roar
The lion's roar is perhaps the most formidable and terrible of all sounds made by wild animals. It can be heard over long distances (up to nine kilometers). Usually at sunset, the lions announce their roar the whole district, as if to say that the territory is occupied.
Offspring
Breeding in lions occurs at certain times of the year, usually during the rainy season. Pregnancy of the female lasts 110 days. Before the birth of babies, she leaves away from the family, in the thicket. Usually a maximum of four babies is born.
Lion cubs are born blind, weighing two kilograms. As early as six weeks, they run around the den. During this period, the female especially protects her babies. Cautious, she changes cover every few days, dragging along and lion. Later, the female with the cubs returns to her pride. Lionesses feed milk not only to their babies, but also to strangers.
They are generally very good-natured and caring towards their offspring. At the age of fourteen weeks, cubs and mothers go hunting. So far, they are only observing the process from the outside. But in the year they themselves can get their own food. However, they become more independent by sixteen months. Young lions leave the family in three to four years, females, as a rule, remain in the pride.
How many lions live?
Oddly enough, but lionesses live more than males, perhaps this is due to the fact that they are under the protection of the pride. Lions, having lost strength, leave the family and live out their lives alone, in not very favorable conditions. Life expectancy for lionesses is fifteen to sixteen years, and males in rare cases survive to twelve.
Instead of an afterword
The Asian lion is distributed in Eurasia at the present time only within the boundaries of reserves and zoos. These handsome men are under protection, thanks to which it was possible to achieve a small increase in their numbers, even if in captivity. Here he is so defenseless - the Asian lion. The Red Book of Russia contains lists of endangered animals that are on the verge of extinction. Regrettably, feline representatives also got into them, who, despite their formidable appearance, turned out to be unarmed in front of man.