The Lion is a big, powerful cat, that is the most companionable of all cats
and lives in a family group called a pride. It is probably the most famous
member of the cat family, and is a well-known symbol of both beauty and
power. Lions are the second largest of the big cats after tigers.
Lions are built for strength not speed.
Male Lions are the only cats with a long, thick mane of hair that protects
their neck in a fight. Its gold coloured eyes can see in the dark, and
the Lion has excellent senses of hearing and smell. Male Lions can weigh
up to 230 kilograms and are about 3 metres long from the nose to the end
of the tail, and 107 centimetres tall at the shoulder. They live in open
spaces, woodlands, grassy plains and areas with thorny scrub trees. Lions are usually found on the savanna and
on the edges of deserts and where they have a place to drink. The Lion's
coat is ideal for hiding. It is a brownish yellow, the colour of dead
grass. Only the back of the of the ears and the tuft of hair at the end
of the tail are black. The shoulders and forelegs of the Lion are tremendously
muscular. They give the Lion the strength to clutch its prey and pull
it to the ground. Each big, heavy paw is armed with curved claws that
withdraws into a sheath in the paw so the claws stay sharp. Life within
the pride is peaceful, including 10 to 35 members staying in a specific
territory and together for years. Lions spend 20 hours a day sleeping
while cubs play. The Lion lives a life of feast or famine. Male Lions
eat first and shallow food in chunks, even though the females do most
of the hunting.
A chief female rules the family even when
males are around. When a female is ready to mate, one male establishes
his dominance over the group. Having fought off rivals, he must now persuade
the lioness to mate with him. He courts her by being attentive. Their
courtship may last for several days before they mate. Lionesses give birth
to a litter of between one and six cubs, and help raise the young together.
The cubs start learning to hunt at 11 months, but stay with their mother
for over two years. In ancient times, Lions lived in Europe, the Middle
East, India, and much of Africa. Human beings have killed thousands of
Lions as people settled in new areas. As a result, there are no more Lions
left in the Middle East and northern Africa. Only about 200 Asiatic Lions still
live in Asia, all in the Gir Forest of India.
The 'Big Cat Collection' wildlife design painted by Jean Sindelar portrays
the magnificent and powerful African Lion, King of the jungle, with vibrant gold African proteas by Ro London. t
Big Cat Collection |
