Powerful, regal, and mighty — lions have been revered by humans for centuries. But how much do you really know about these kings of the jungle? Here are ten fascinating facts this WORLD LION DAY.
Majestic, dynastic, formidable, with a prowess to boot — when it comes to lions, few would doubt their reign within the animal kingdom. And that’s why, today, on WORLD LION DAY, we are roaring for these iconic big cats with these fast facts:
- Contrary to the nickname “king of the jungle,” most lions live in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is one small population of lion, known as Asiatic lions, that lives in India’s Gir Forest. These lions are shorter, with sparser manes, and typically live in smaller prides. Today, there are only a few hundred Asiatic lions in the wild.
- Lions and tigers are physically very similar — it’s only their coats that make them so distinguishable. The length and coloration of a lion’s mane can indicate the age and health of a male lion. Typically, the darker the mane, the healthier, more well-fed the lion. Sometimes, male lions will lose their manes to adapt to hotter climates.
- While Simba may have gotten the titular role in The Lion King — lion societies (prides) are actually matriarchal. In other words, it’s the female lions (lionesses) who call the shots and keep the pride running at all times by guarding their territory and doing most of the hunting.
- Lions are the second largest big cats in the world — and also the most sociable. Some prides can be up to 40 lions strong! Lionesses within a pride will usually give birth at the same time and will raise their cubs together, in crèches.
- Hear them roar! Thanks to their large vocal folds, lions are highly communicative cats. And one of the loudest — some roars can be heard up to five miles away. Lions will roar almost only at night, when acoustic conditions allow sound to travel further. While roars are used as a means of ownership and defense, they can also be used to recognize other lions.
- There may also be another reason why lion roars are sounded almost entirely at night — and that’s because, lions are actually nocturnal. Like other cats you may know, lions spend nearly 20 hours a day sleeping or resting.
- When they are active, lions are on the hunt. Adult females require about 5 kg (11 lbs) of meat a day, adult males 7.3 kg (16 lbs). Depending on the type of prey, lions will apply different hunting. For smaller prey, a solo hunt; larger prey, a stealthy ambush with two or three lions; a coordinated all-out blitz for prey that fights back.
- Male lions can join in on the hunt. But they aren’t very tactical due to their size. Rather, it’s the lionesses who apply strategy.
- Because lions are apex predators, they are a keystone species, helping maintain balance in the ecosystems by hunting larger herbivore species, ensuring enough food is available for other animal populations, and keep herds healthy by preying on its weakest members.
- Some lions have been known to climb trees — though, not all of them do. And that’s because lions aren’t built like other cats (larger front legs, stiffer backs) and because they live in prides where they can defend their kills together (leopards stash their kills in trees). Still, some still climb trees — why? Scientists are still studying these behaviors. One reason may be to escape the heat, another may be to survey the landscape, or even avoid stampede.
But despite their seemingly Herculean nature, lions are currently listed as vulnerable, some ENDANGERED. Loss of habitat, illegal trade and climate change are just some of the driving factors behind their recent population declines. Today, lion numbers may be as low as 20,000.
This WORLD LION DAY, let’s keep lions strong — consider making a donation fit for a king.
