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GoldenPhoenix

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Lions are often thought of as ferocious predators; the “King of the Jungle.” They have a mysterious, majestic air to them that draws people in (usually to see them at a zoo or, if you’re lucky, on a wildlife safari).

If you’re a cat lover, however, you may notice some You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. For instance, the way kitties like to rub up against their human’s legs.

Lions in the wild exhibit a very similar behavior, especially when subordinate females or younger animals meet up with more dominant lions in the pride. When a subordinate lion comes upon a dominant lion, she lowers her head, lifts her tail, and rubs her head against the other animal.

Establishing a “family scent” as she is doing is important in preventing and diffusing aggression among lions in the group. All members of a pride must bear the family scent in order to steer clear of trouble.

You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., even in protecting humans. For instance, a 12-year-old Ethiopian girl was abducted in 2005 by men attempting to force her into marriage. She was found a week later protected by three lions who “stood guard until we [police] found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest.”

  1. A Complex Social Structure
    Lions live in large groups called prides, similar to wolves (but not most other cat species). A pride consists of multiple related females and their dependent offspring along with two or three unrelated males. A typical pride has about 15 members, although some prides as large as 40 members have been observed.
  2. Second Largest Big Cat
    A male lion weighs about 500 pounds and grows to eight feet in length. It sounds impressive, but tigers are actually larger, reaching 850 pounds and 11 feet long.
  3. Lions Don’t Live in the Jungle
    Even though lions are known as “King of the Jungle,” they live in grasslands and plains – not the jungle. Also unusual in the animal kingdom, female lions do the hunting (usually in groups) while male lions stay home and watch over the pride. The males, however, are first to eat when the female lions come home with their kill.
  4. Lion Babies Aren’t Only Called Cubs
    Baby lions may be referred to as cubs, whelps, or lionets. A “whelp” actually refers to any young member of a carnivorous species, while “lionet” means “small lion” in Middle French.
  5. Females Live Together for Life
    Female lions, sisters, live together for life. Their female cubs also stay with the pride, even after they’re grown, but male cubs must venture out on their own once they reach maturity.
  6. The Only Big Cats with Manes
    Male lions have majestic manes that make them appear larger and more intimidating. Female lions are also attracted to fuller, thicker manes.
  7. They Once Roamed the Globe
    Lions once lived in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and Northern India. Now lions primarily live in Africa, aside from a small group (about 300) Asiatic lions that live in India’s Gir Forest.
  8. The Loudest Roar
    A male lion’s roar can be heard from up to five miles away – the loudest roar of any big cat species. Their roar helps them find other lions as well as to proclaim their territory. A pride’s territory may include up to 100 square miles.You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
  9. A National Symbol
    Lions are associated with pride, courage, and strength, making them a perfect national symbol. Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Ethiopia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Singapore all regard the lion as their national symbol.
 
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