About
The lion (Panthera leo) is the only truly social big cat, living in groups called prides of up to 30 individuals. Unlike most cats, lions have distinct social roles: males protect territory while females do 90% of the hunting. A lion's roar can be heard 8 km away and serves to communicate territory and group location.
At the turn of the 20th century, an estimated 200,000 lions roamed Africa. Today fewer than 25,000 remain due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and declining prey. Lions once ranged across Africa, southern Europe, and the Middle East — all wild populations are now confined to sub-Saharan Africa and a small population in India's Gir Forest.
# Top 10 Lion facts
- 1A lion's roar can be heard 8 kilometers away
- 2Lionesses do about 90% of the hunting while males protect territory
- 3The African lion population has declined 90% in the past century
Fascinating Facts
- ◆A lion's roar can be heard 8 kilometers away
- ◆Lionesses do about 90% of the hunting while males protect territory
- ◆The African lion population has declined 90% in the past century
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