Lion

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For other uses, see Lion (disambiguation).
The lion (Panthera leo) is a species in the family Felidae and a member of the genus Panthera. It
has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996, as populations in African range
countries declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. Lion populations are untenable outside
designated protected areas. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat
loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes of concern.[2] The West African
lion population is listed as Critically Endangered since 2016.[4] The only lion population
in Asia survives in and around India's Gir Forest National Park and is listed as Endangered since
1986.[5]
The lion typically inhabits grasslands and savannahs, but is absent in dense forest. It is usually
more diurnal than other big cats, but when persecuted adapts to being active at night and at twilight.
A lion pride consists of a few adult males, related females and cubs. Prides vary in size and
composition from three to 20 adult lions, depending on habitat and prey availability. Females
cooperate when hunting and prey mostly on large ungulates.[6] They are opportunistic hunters and
prefer prey weighing 190 to 550 kg (420 to 1,210 lb).[7] The lion is an apex and keystone predator.[8]
With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight, it is the second-largest living cat species after
the tiger.[9] Wild male lions seldom live longer than 10 to 14 years, as injuries sustained from
continual fighting with rival males greatly reduce their life span.[10] Captive lions live more than 20
years.
In the Pleistocene, the spelaea cave lion was the most widespread large land mammal and ranged
throughout Eurasia to North America.[11][12] The atrox lion ranged in the Americas to Peru.[13]
Male lions are easily recognized by their manes, and the male's face is one of the most widely
recognised animal symbols in human culture. Cultural depictions of lions are known from the Upper
Paleolithic period, with carvings and paintings from the Lascaux and Chauvet Caves in France dated
to 17,000 years ago, through virtually all ancient and medieval cultures where they once occurred. It
has been extensively depicted in sculptures and paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary
films and literature. Lions have been kept in menageries since the time of the Roman Empire, and
have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoos over the world since the late 18th century.
Zoos are cooperating worldwide in breeding programs for the endangered Asiatic lions.