Lion species
Lion - Panthera leo
Asian lion
The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. The biggest lion ever recorded measured 333 cm - 131 inch from the tip of the tail to the tip of the nose and weighed 313 kg - 688 pounds! The lion is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia. The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) or Persian lion sub- species of the lion lives only in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India. In 2005, the Gujarat government reported only 359 Asiatic lions were sighted in the Gir forest.
African lion
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Weight: |
416 pounds (189 kg) average |
Weight: |
277 pounds (126 kg) average |
Hight: |
48 in (120 cm) |
Hight: |
44 in (110 cm) |
Avg. Length: |
9 ft. (270 cm) |
Avg. Length: |
8 ft. (240 cm) |
Bite force: |
600 PSI |
Bite force: |
600 PSI |
Speed: |
30 mph over 50 yds. ( 48 kph. over 46 m.) |
Speed: |
30 mph over 50 yds. ( 48 kph. over 46 m.) |
Number of teeth: |
30 |
Number of teeth: |
30 |
Diet: |
Carnivore |
Diet: |
Carnivore |
Body Temperature: |
101 deg. F (38.33 deg C) |
Body Temperature: |
101 deg. F (38.33 deg C) |
Natural preditors: |
None |
Natural preditors: |
None |
Socialisation: |
none In groups - ‘prides’ from 3 to 30 lions |
Socialisation: |
none In groups - ‘prides’ from 3 to 30 lions |
Habitat: |
savannahs, grasslands, dense bush and woodlands |
Habitat: |
savannahs, grasslands, dense bush and woodlands |
Country: |
Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia |
Country: |
Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia |
Lifespan: |
ten to fourteen years in the wild in captivity up to twenty years and longer |
Lifespan: |
ten to fourteen years in the wild in captivity up to twenty years and longer |
Numbers in wild: |
23,000 - estimated (including female lions) |
Numbers in wild: |
23,000 - estimated (including male lions) |
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Reproduction: |
Typically 3 cubs gestation period is 14 to 15 weeks |
This website is NOT intended to give lions a negative image. We think lions are one of the beautiful creations God put on this planet. This website shows you what damage they can do but also what impressive and magnificent creatures they are. BUT! To be handled with caution! If a lion attacks it’s because people are invading their territory or take dumb risks. Lions should not live as a pet or in captivity.
For more information on big cats protection go to: www.bigcatrescue.org