This activity will help you assess your knowledge of the different kinds of lion habitats. At sexual maturity, some female lions remain with the pride, but all male lions leave the pride. They are also killed by humans in bravery rituals, as hunting trophies, for medicinal powers, or by ranchers protecting their livestock. At times, they may lose their own catches to hyena groups. The most noticeable physical characteristic found in all Asian lions, but rarely in African lions, is … The lion makes home in semi-arid habitats including open grasslands and savanna. It also signals sexual maturity and health status; lionesses tend to favor denser and darker manes. Lions also eat carrion, the flesh of dead animals. In general, a group of males stays in power in the pride for around three years before another bachelor group takes it over. DESCRIPTION: Renowned for their majesty and nicknamed the King of the Jungle, lions possess both beauty and strength. The male’s outstanding characteristic is his mane, which varies between different individuals and populations. You can also donate to charities like National Geographic’s Big Cat Initiative, Panthera’s Project Leonardo, or the African Wildlife Foundation. google_ad_slot = "9761313702"; Lions are vigorous when it comes to reproduction; Schaller observed one male mate 157 times in 55 hours. Adult males are about 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3 meters) long, including the tail. While lazing around, they are very affectionate towards one another, rubbing heads, grooming, and purring. Her debut picture book, Soaked!, comes out on July 14, 2020 from Viking Children's Books.To learn more and to download free activity sheets, visit www.abicushman.com. In the wild, lions rest for around 20 hours a day. Usually a couple females give birth around the same time. A pride consists of up to three males, a dozen related females, and their young. Lions are adapted for life in grasslands and mixed areas with trees and grass. They hunt together to increase their success rate, since prey can be difficult to catch and can outrun a single lion. A lion slowly sneaks up on its prey, then pauses, crouches and hides until it gets close enough to pursue its target. A male needs 15.4 pounds or more a day. There's a hierarchy among both the female members of the pride and the male members. Physical Characteristics. The lion (Panthera leo) is a large mammal of the Felidae (cat) family.Some large males weigh over 250 kg (550 lb). Lions are the second largest cats in the World. In captivity lions often breed every year, but in the wild they usually breed no more than once in two years. Distemper is spread to lions by neighboring village dogs as well as hyenas. Lions may also feed on domestic livestock, especially in areas near villages. A pride of lions can range from 3 lions to as many as 30 lions. They can be found lying on their backs with their feet up or taking a snooze up in a tree. Back to Cats Back to Animals for Kids Babesia occurs during droughts, when malnourished prey is vulnerable to disease. © Animal Fact Guide 2007 - 2020. An adult male’s roar can be heard up to nearly 5 miles away. Lions are mainly nocturnal (active during the night). Lions also steal kills from hyenas, leopards and other predators. Although most Hebrew and Greek words for lion are used in a figurative sense, nevertheless we can draw a number of inferences regarding the perceived characteristics and behavior of literal lions. Asian Lion Characteristics. They are sometimes trampled by large animals like buffaloes. The name for a baby lion is a cub, whelp or lione Long, retractable claws help lions snare their prey, while rough tongues make it easy for them to peel back the skin of that prey and expose its meat. Lions are a species within the Felidae family. As such, it would be easy to assume they have an easy life and survival in the wild is assured. [ Read: The Lion And The Hare’ Story For Your Kids] Cubs and young lions do not take part in hunting, but the adult lions train them by showing them the stalking behavior. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions have a prominent mane.With a typical head-to-body length of 184–208 cm (72–82 in) they are larger than females at 160–184 cm (63–72 in). What's your favorite place to see animals? It also signals sexual maturity and health status; lionesses tend to favour denser and darker manes. Males are distinguishable by their manes which protect them while //-->. Lions are the second largest cats in the World. ; There are 7 species of sea lions. Lions can reach speeds of up to 81 kph (50 mph) but only in short bursts because of a lack of stamina. Fun Lion Facts for Kids. When she's not writing about weird animal facts, Abi writes and illustrates funny books for kids. There are only a few adult males in a pride. The average male lion weighs around 180 kg (400 lb) while the average female lion weighs around 130 kg (290 lb). Male and female lions have different body weights, sizes and appearances. , Science Kids ©  |  Home  |  About  |  Topics  |  Experiments  |  Games  |  Facts  |  Quizzes  |  Projects  |  Lessons  |  Images  |  Videos  |  Privacy  |  Sitemap  |  Updated: Apr 11, 2020. It makes male lions appear larger, thus allowing them to be more intimidating. The lions fan out along a broad front or semicircle to creep up on prey. A female lion needs 5kg of meat a day. They don't pick fights but … It makes male lions appear larger, thus allowing them to be more intimidating. A male needs 15.4 pounds or more a day. In captivity lions often breed every year, but in the wild they usually breed no more than once in two years. Actually, sea lions and seals are two different animals. /* sci facts 728 */ Unlike other cats, lions are very social animals. mi. If available, they will drink water everyday. Tiger - Biggest of the big cats. The lion is the second largest member of the cat family after the tiger . This is also responsible for the grace of movement we associate with members of the cat family. … If resources are scarce, the pride becomes smaller. African lions have been admired throughout history for as symbols of courage and strength. Compared to their African cousins, Asian lions have shaggier coats, with a longer tassel on the end of the tail and longer tufts of hair on the elbows. While the lion is an apex predator, it falls prey to humans. Lions Are Fantastic Hunters. It also provides amazing pictures that makes learning about the animal really fun for both kids and adults. Lions are carnivores and their roar can be heard up to five miles away. Most lions can be found in Africa, but their … This is also responsible for the grace of movement we associate with members of the cat family. Size and appearance vary considerably between the sexes. They are also known as puma, cougar, catamount or panther. The vision of a lion, for example, is roughly six times more sensitive to light than a human's. All lions share certain traits that the species developed in response to environment. Herbivores Herbivorous animals or herbivores (herbi, plant; vore, eater) are those that eat only plants and plant products. Learn about lion behavior, how fast they can run, where they are found, how many lions are usually in a pride, the male’s mane, lioness differences and more. The lion (Panthera leo) is a species in the family Felidae and a member of the genus Panthera.It has a muscular, deep-chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. Lions earn the title "King of the Beasts" because they are the top of the food chain in their native habitats. They form bachelor groups and follow migrating herds until they are strong enough to challenge male lions of other prides. Characteristics of Arthropods Lesson for Kids 3:18 Mammals Lesson for Kids: Definition, Facts & Characteristics 2:55 Echinoderms Lesson for Kids Guidelines. google_ad_height = 90; Click here for more animal facts. The cubs start training in hunting when they are one or two years old. Transvaal lion likes to eat large animals such as blue wildebeest, giraffes, buffaloes, gemsbok, impalas, Thomson’s gazelle, warthogs, kobs, and zebras. Both sexes are polygamous and breed throughout the year, but females are usually restricted to the one or two adult males of their pride. African lions are considered vulnerable of extinction by the IUCN Red List. The average male lion weighs around 180 kg (400 lb) while the average female lion weighs around 130 kg (290 lb). Maine Coon Cat - Popular and large pet cat. Hmm... we know that lions will fight when need be. They are active solitary hunters and are known to attack prey from behind. Today, wild lions live in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia. Is a sea lion the same as a seal? The lion is known as the “King of Beasts” or “King of the Jungle.” There are also phrases such as “brave as a lion” or “strong as a lion.” Lions` have been the symbol of strength and bravery for thousands of years. The name for a baby lion is a cub, whelp or lione The relatively small females are fast runners over short distances, and coordinate their hunting of herd animals. They maintain the boundaries of their territory, which can be as large as 260 sq. These lions are like regular lions, except for the color of their coat. After a successful hunt, all the lions in the pride share the meal. google_ad_slot = "5655995158"; Lions can run up to 50 mph (80 kmph) for short distances and leap as far as 36 feet (11 m), almost the length of a school bus, according to the Lion Habitat Ranch, a lion sanctuary in Nevada. It is considered the largest species of wild cat in North America and second heaviest after the Jaguar. Check out the wide range of interesting facts about lions. Cubs are often killed by hyenas, wild dogs, and leopards. But since their prey is still generally faster than them, they use teamwork to bring an animal down. Unlike other cats, lions are very social animals. The heaviest lion on record weighed an amazing 375 kg (826 lb). Lion
2. Pride members keep track of one another by roaring. Lions live in parts of Africa and India. (The Asiatic lion is endangered.) Lions are the only truly social cats. Lions usually live in groups of 10 or 15 animals called prides. Share why lions are important to you and include a drawing if you like. The average lifespan of a lion can vary, but they will generally live in the wild for around 12 years. Furthermore, they are susceptible to tick-borne diseases like canine distemper and babesia. A lion has many physical characteristics that make it a superb hunter. Their tan color allows lions to blend in with the savannas, open woodlands and deserts in which they live. Lions hunt at night because it’s often too hot during the day. Mountain Lion Scientific and Physical Characteristics. Lion Facts for Kids . Lionesses living in open savanna do most of the hunting. Lion Habitat: Word Search Activity. Let us just take a few minutes to explore these and as with all metaphors, we aren't going to beat this one to death. The cubs are then raised together, sometimes nursing communally. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions have a prominent mane.With a typical head-to-body length of 184–208 cm (72–82 in) they are larger than females at 160–184 cm (63–72 in). Packer and Pusey set out not just to document lion behavior but to explain how it had evolved. The big cat group includes animals like tigers, leopards, and of course, lions. If resources are scarce, the pride becomes smaller. google_ad_width = 728; Females are shorter and more slender. Check out our awesome range of animal facts for kids and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. The Smithsonian's National Zoo's lions eat ground beef, which is commercially produced to meet the nutritional needs of carnivores. 6 Characteristics of the Lion to Think About for Your Leadership Published on October 25, 2015 October 25, 2015 • 237 Likes • 32 Comments google_ad_width = 160; Pride members keep track of one another by roaring. Fanning out, they form a semicircle, with the smaller, weaker lionesses herding the prey towards the center. A Lion’s Mane. Clouded Leopard - Endangered medium size cat from Asia. The body is very muscular, with less bone mass than other animals of comparable size. Male lions are easy to recognize thanks to their distinctive manes. km (100 sq. Lions, which live in groups called prides, are the most social cats.The size of a pride depends on food availability, but a typical group includes three males, a dozen females, and their cubs. A pride consists of up to three males, a dozen related females, and their young. 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