a short article on the african lion

The African lion while not endangered is still listed as a vulnerable animal. Its population has been on the decline since 1975 they have lost 90% of there population. Poaching and habitat loss is the main cause of there decline. Though lions used to live in most parts of Africa, they are now found only in the south Sahara desert and in parts of southern and eastern Africa. Historically, in addition to Africa, lions were found from Greece through the Middle East to northern India.

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the female African lion is a fierce mother and an apex predator .The average gestation period, or the length of pregnancy, of a lion is 108 days. The exact number of days vary, as some give birth after 105 days, and others carry their babies up to 115 days. A lioness will live on average 10 to 14 years, and can have up to three cubs at once.

she will fight to the death to protect her cubs. hunting is a lioness specialty. Along side caring for the cubs. The average day in the life of lioness is to wake up and tend to the cubs. when they are old enough they will hunt along side her but in there early years they will need her attention.

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while hunting a lioness may hunt with her pride if of course she belongs to one. The hunting group will primarily consisting of other lionesses in the pride. o

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the male lion is a strong warrior as it will actively defend its pride to the death if need be. Male lions grow to be nine to ten feet long and can weigh up to 500 pounds. Females grow to be seven to eight feet long and weigh between 270 and 350 pounds. The average lifespan of the African Lion in the wild is 15 to 18 years, and 25 to 30 years in captivity.

a male lion sleeps most of the day while awake it will patrol its territory. Males defend the pride's territory, which may include some 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) of grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands. Only male lions boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads.

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Young lions that do not have pride will actively seek out other prides to claim. In this process they may come across a recently conquered pride with cubs. when they do it could be a bad day to be a baby lion.
Better to kill the cubs that are not theirs, and start a new generation that is theirs – as male coalitions have a limited time with the prides. Male lions do kill cubs when they take over a pride.

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a lion can take a few years to grow. Sub-adults begin to resemble adult lions. At 2 years old, females are about three-quarters the size of their mothers, but males can be bigger. Males will have a small, mohawk mane. By age 3, both are fully grown.

as a cub a lion is very vulnerable. if not attended it could be subject to being hunted. by predator or prey.
as a sub adult lions a little bit older while hunt with there mother and learn trade that will keep them alive for the next decade.

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In closing the African lion is a beautiful animal that is on the decline. if we don't stay aware of our effect on this animal it may meet its end as so many before it.