Lion description of the animal summary for children. Why is the lion the king of beasts? Description of the lion, habitat and lifestyle
The king of beasts is what the lion is called. The lion is the second largest among all cats, the weight of an adult male is 200-225 kg, and the length is 2-2.5 meters plus a tail, 1 meter long. Lions have very pronounced sexual characteristics: a male lion has a luxurious mane, which no female can boast of.
Large jaws, a muscular body and strong paws allow the lion to be the main hunter in the African savannah. If you want to understand why the lion is called the king of beasts, see the video: wild African lion vs crocodiles.
But eating prey is joint. And lions eat as much as they can physically eat, because it is not known when the next “festive table” will be, only every 3-4 hunts are successful.
Another big advantage of a family is mating. There can be 14 females in a lion’s “harem”, with whom he mates whenever he wishes.
The pregnancy of females lasts on average 15 weeks, and 3-4 lion cubs are born, helpless, weak, and blind. The lioness and her children are separated from the pride for 10 weeks, during which time she must not only feed them with milk, but also pass on her scent, thanks to which the cubs will later be accepted into the family.
Lionesses set up “nurseries” - when they go hunting, they can leave their babies under the supervision of other lionesses, who not only protect them, but can also feed them with their milk...
A selection of interesting videos.
Landmark video: Battle at Kruger. There's just an incredible amount of action in eight minutes. Bulls, crocodiles and lions all mixed together. Everyone watch.
Another video where herbivores show themselves in all their glory. Never give up. (though the quality is not very high)
550 lbs Lions Fighting. Leos decide who is in charge.
Nomadic Lions fight to the finish. Lions fight to the death.
Lion fight in Botswana.
Lion Fight — Part I. Continue watching on YouTube; in the video below there is a link to the second part. There are 5 of them in total.
Lion Vs Cheetah - Male lion kills 2 cheetahs. Lions vs cheetahs.
Lionesses on the hunt:
A selection of documentary films.
Lions with crocodile river:
Desert Lions:
Proud and formidable King of Beasts -. Despite its size, strength and power, this animal, through the efforts of humans, has significantly reduced its numbers. Lions are protected and live mainly in protected areas, but even there they are at risk from poachers. It is too honorable to kill a lion and hang its skin or stuffed it at home.
Appearance of an African lion
The lion is a member of the cat family and of all the members of the cat family, lions have the most pronounced gender differences. A lion and a lioness can be distinguished from afar, thanks to the presence of a lush long mane in male representatives.
It is quite possible that the lack of a mane in lionesses is the main advantage that helps lionesses during hunting; after all, the long mane constantly gets tangled in dense thickets.
Lions are the largest of the wild cats, the weight of an adult male sometimes reaches 250 kg, and the weight of an adult female can approach 170-180 kg. The length of an adult lion is up to three meters, not counting the tail, which, in turn, can reach a meter in length. Females are somewhat smaller, their length is about two meters, their tail is about 70 cm.
African lion habitats
African lions live in the savannas of southern Africa. Previously, their numbers were much higher, and they inhabited not only the territory of Africa, but also India, the Near and Middle East, and part of Europe. A small number of African lions live in India today, in a protected area called the Gar Forest.
African lion lifestyle
Another difference between lions and other representatives of the feline family is the creation of large families called prides. A pride consists of one or two strong lions, and a large number of females. A clan created in this way has a number of advantages:
- A lion, or a pair of lions, takes upon themselves the protection of the territory in which the family lives. They protect their families from attacks from other lions who want to have their own clan.
Such battles occur often and last until the complete victory of one lion over the other. If an outside lion wins, he destroys all male cubs in the pride.
At night, lions with their roar notify all neighbors located 8-9 kilometers from the pride that the flock is protected and this territory is guarded.
- A large number of females makes it possible to better provide the family with food, because The main hunters are female lions.
Lionesses are always under the protection of their family, remaining in the pride until the end of their lives. Grown-up sons are kicked out of the pack, and they create their own clans, sometimes at the cost of defeating another leader and his sons.
For convenience, lionesses tend to have offspring in approximately the same period; this makes caring for small lion cubs easier. Before the babies reach the age of 2 months, lionesses with lion cubs retire, teaming up with other lion mothers, organizing something like a kindergarten. During the hunt, one or several females remain with the babies, while the rest hunt at this time. The remaining females look after the cubs, protect them and feed them. Grown-up lion cubs are brought into the pride and raised within the clan until the young males reach the age of 3 years. After this they are expelled from the family. Females remain in the pack. They reach childbearing age at the age of 4 years.
African lion nutrition
The main diet of the lion family is the meat of animals obtained by hunting. Males go hunting extremely rarely, only in case of severe hunger. Lionesses are very experienced and silent hunters; they rarely go hunting alone, which also distinguishes them from other wild cats. During a hunt, lionesses eat small prey on the spot, and bring large prey to the family, where it is divided among all members. Until the hunted carcass is completely destroyed, lionesses do not go hunting, even if the prey walks around their habitat.
Lions attack people extremely rarely; most often these are animals that have already tasted human meat or are very hungry.
Danger to African lions
Lions are in greatest danger from people, this is their main enemy. Representatives of lions also have clashes with their main competitors for food - hyenas, although they are afraid of African cats, but can try to attack on the sly.
Another danger that awaits lions at a watering hole is Nile crocodiles. A crocodile in the water is much stronger than both a lion and a lioness and is able to cope with the animal.
Video about the African lion
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The lion is a predator from the panther genus, a subfamily of big cats. This beautiful beast ranks second in terms of its own size compared to other big cats.
It is not for nothing that in fairy tales the lion personifies the king, because he really has royal habits and a majestic gait.
Lion habitat
Most often, lions could be found in Africa, the Middle East, southern Russia, and some parts of India. They live in the steppe, savannah, and rarely in forests and shrubby areas. Currently, there are fewer and fewer lions. Lions live in huge groups and do not hunt artiodactyls alone. Lionesses, when hunting, act as leaders, unlike lions. Males intimidate prey with their powerful roars, and females, hiding, prepare to attack animals (carcasses of buffalos, giraffes). Lions also defend their lionesses in fights, and unfortunately many die.
Description of lions
Lions have a gorgeous mane, from yellow to orange; some predators have a tricolor coloration, as in the photo. Anyone with thin hair will envy such thickness. The hair on the tail is shorter, at the tip it looks like a small paint brush.
These huge animals have an anatomical difference between females and males (this phenomenon is called dimorphism). The weight of lions ranges from approximately 170 to 185 kg, lionesses weigh less (120-125 kg). The largest lion weighed 375 kg at the London Zoo. Lions are no more than 2 m long (on average 180 cm), females - 150 cm. Surprisingly, the length of the tail is not much less than about 105 cm. The record length of the lion is slightly more than 300 cm.
Lion breeding
These wonderful mammals are ready to breed from the age of 4. The female also carries the cubs for about 4 months. He prefers to give birth to little lion cubs in a secluded place where he feels safe. Babies are born with a body weight of 1 to 2 kg. The eyes begin to see 7 days after birth. Instinctively, the female knows that if she frequently changes her habitat, the smell will not accumulate and will not attract other predators to the babies. Leos know how to communicate using body movements, for example, in order to greet someone, they rub their heads against each other’s heads and make loud sounds similar to a deep roar.
Predators feed according to a strict schedule: first the males, then the females, and the babies eat last. They need to eat about 18 kg of meat per day.
These majestic predators must be protected through sanctuaries and other animal welfare projects. Since the 18th century, many zoos have been created, where more than a thousand lions live.
For the last few days, my daughter and I have been “traveling” around Africa. Yesterday we talked about lions, watched a presentation about their life in the African savannah, and made lions. My daughter was so carried away and interested that she was a lion all evening. She even drank from a plate on all fours, because lions cannot pick up a cup. And this morning, when we were brushing our teeth, she said that she was a lion with a piece of zebra stuck in her teeth. We laughed, and this fairy tale was born.
The king of beasts whose teeth hurt
In hot, hot Africa there lived a Lion. He was the king of beasts, and, like many kings, he was very capricious. He was especially capricious when the question of brushing his teeth arose. He didn't like cleaning them at all. Moreover, since childhood. So when he grew up and became the king of beasts, he decided that he could do whatever he wanted. That's it, one fine day he's completely...
I think that none of you will be surprised to learn that one day Leo had a terrible toothache. So much so that he began to roar loudly in pain. All the animals scattered, even the lionesses were afraid to come close to their ruler. Therefore, no one could understand what was the matter and why he roared so much.
Only the smart old Baboon guessed what had happened and went to get the doctor. The doctor in the part of Africa we are talking about was Giraffe. He came after Baboon, but did not get too close to the patient. Who knows what will come to the mind of the angry king of beasts.
- Cure me! - Lev begged.
“In order to cure you, I will need to stick my head into your mouth,” answered the Giraffe. “If you promise me that you won’t bite my neck, then I will.”
- I promise, I promise! Just help me!
Doctor Giraffe approached the patient and stuck his head with cute little horns right into the lion's open mouth.
“Yes, yes, yes,” came from there. - Apparently someone hasn’t been here for a long time. What a horror! I see that you have someone's horns and hooves stuck between your teeth!
In order to help poor Leo, the doctor had to call other animals for help. It's not so easy to remove a stuck horn from a tooth. The animals stood up one after another, the Giraffe grabbed the horn, and they grabbed the Giraffe. Then they all pulled the horn towards themselves as hard as they could. Thus, the animals pulled out all the stuck objects from the teeth of the king of beasts.
- Thank you Doctor! – Lev thanked.
“My advice to you, dear king,” the Giraffe addressed the Lion, “do not forget to brush your teeth, and also stop eating zebras, antelopes and other artiodactyls.” They are your subjects! I don't think they want to be served to you for lunch. Besides, think about it, if you eat all your subjects, then what kind of king will you be?! A king without subjects is not a king!
“Perhaps you’re right,” Lev answered him.
Since then, he began to brush his teeth every day and became a vegetarian, that is, he stopped eating other animals, but only vegetables and fruits. He became known as the best and most beloved king in all of Africa. Maybe also because his breath always smelled very pleasant.
Maria Shkurina
P.S. By the way, Sofia, like me, is a Leo according to her horoscope. It is quite understandable why she became so accustomed to the role of the king of beasts.
Since ancient times, the power has been recognized lion V animal world nature. His depictions in cave paintings, sculptures, coats of arms and flags indicate strength and authority.
In Ancient Egypt, man saw the beast as a powerful god of the earth. To this day he is called the king of beasts or king - lion, and protect from destruction one of the largest and most interesting animals on the ground.
Features and habitat of a lion
Among cats, only those whose size is not inferior to the king’s can enter into competition with a lion. The weight of the animal reaches 200-250 kg, the length of the body of an adult animal is almost 2.5 m, to which is added about a meter of tail with a black hair tassel. Inside there is a “spur” of terminal vertebrae, an additional weapon of the predator. Large dimensions do not prevent the animal from being agile and fast.
Males are distinguished by a mane that grows from the age of 2 and covers the body from neck to chest. The color of the mane darkens as the animal ages, adding even more significance. It is generally accepted that such a dense and elastic woolen mop softens the blows of opponents in fights.
The photo shows a male lion
The length of the mane hair reaches 40 cm. Its thickness, shape and color depend on many factors: age, habitat, subspecies, climate, living conditions. In captivity, the mane of lions is always more luxuriant, since it does not have to be ruffled in thickets or duels.
The production of testosterone has a great influence on the formation of a mop of wool, so among lions the leader status is always with the owner of an outstanding mane. Lionesses are smaller in size, their weight is up to 140 kg, but they are more graceful than their partners, since they are the main hunters of the clan. The majestic mane and massive dimensions would interfere with tracking down prey.
The photo shows a lioness
The head of the beast is large, with an elongated muzzle and large jaws. Fangs up to 8 cm long will allow hunters to attack large animals. The body is muscular, the paws are strong, with retracted claws on the toes. The short hair on the body can be colored from whitish-gray to yellow-brown.
Main relatives lion in nature: jaguar, tiger and - animals of Africa. Their existence is confirmed by fossil remains, the age of which is estimated to be up to 1 million years.
Once upon a time, in ancient times, the habitat of lions was much larger than the present: it covered the entire territory of Africa, the Middle East, southern Europe, the south of present-day Russia, and the northwestern part.
The persecution of the animal by humans and the reduction of its habitat have become disastrous for the predator. It remains in nature only in sub-Saharan Africa and the Gir forest of the Indian state.
Of the 12 subspecies that existed, six have survived in modern times. Among the extinct subspecies is the famous Barbary a lion, the largest wild animal from relatives. The weight of the giants exceeded 300 kg, and the body length was over 3 m. The last representative of the species was exterminated in 1922.
White Lion not identified as an independent subspecies animal. The cream color of the fine coat is the result of genetic characteristics. South African captive breeders raise these to order for trophy purposes.
In the photo there is a white lion
Savannas are the favorite habitats of lions, but sometimes they move to forests or areas overgrown with bushes. Animals need large bodies of water and ungulate mammals - their main hunting objects.
Character and lifestyle of a lion
Among cats, lions are distinguished by the formation of a separate family group, or pride. It consists of several adult individuals, as well as their offspring. Young lion cubs leave their parent pride after reaching puberty.
They become loners for the time being, until they find a new pride with an old leader who will give in to the strong, or they remain nomads for the rest of their lives. A pride lives by certain rules that group members obey. Strangers are expelled here, males protect their territory, family ties play a connecting role.
Pictured is a pride of lions
The main breadwinners during the hunt are lionesses. Their advantage is agility, flexibility and speed. Success depends on consistency and the manifestation of Leo qualities. The productivity of hunting by an animal in a group is obvious, but the division of the prey depends on the male, if he is nearby. It should be noted that lions are aggressive towards each other while consuming food.
Males rarely hunt on their own, but if they catch the prey, the lion feeds alone. The mane increases physical activity and contributes to body overheating, so the main role of hunters belongs to females. Each predator in the pride performs a specific mission: breadwinner, guard of territory, protector of offspring.
Photo of lionesses on the hunt
The greatest activity of predators occurs after sunset. Excellent night vision contributes to successful hunting. After lions indulge in rest and caring for their offspring. Which animal can be seen in the circle of relatives during the day.
The king of beasts has practically no enemies due to his large size and strength. But death and injury befall the animals in the struggle for the place of leader in the pride. Males are not inferior to rivals in cases of collisions. Sick or injured animals weaken and become victims of hyenas, buffalos or leopards.
Large predators suffer from small ticks that infect areas where the animal cannot reach an area of the body with its teeth or paws. Eating animal meat leads to infection with helminths. Diseases force prides to migrate to maintain numbers.
Lion food
The diet of predators consists mainly of artiodactyl animals: livestock, antelopes, zebras and others Savannah animals. a lion Even carrion and small rodents will not be missed. Despite the sharp and long fangs, the predator strangles its victims.
The ability to sneak up silently and then jump at the victim with lightning speed leaves no chance of salvation for many inhabitants of the savannah. The lion is strong and fast over short distances, so it gets as close as possible to herds for rapid leaps. This distance is approximately 30 m. Several predators of the same pride attack from different sides simultaneously.
Hunting takes place more often at night. One successful outing provides 4-5 pride animals with enough food for a week. The victims are ungulates weighing from 50 to 300 kg. In Africa, these are more often wildebeest, zebras, and buffalos; in India, deer. Attacks on rhinoceroses or adult giraffes are rare due to the risk of injury.
The choice of prey depends on their availability in the region; in large individuals, the predator is interested in young animals or injured and weakened individuals. At one time, a lion can eat up to 30 kg of meat, although 7 kg for a male and 5 kg for a female are enough to satiate.
If prey needs to be preserved, then lions guard it from agile hyenas, attracted by the flight of vultures over the food. Hunting unites the pride: males come to the rescue in case of a large victim, and the offspring observe the actions of the adults.
Lion cubs begin to go out for their first hunting attempts at the age of 1 year, and from the age of 2 years they independently obtain food. Attacks on humans are typical for animals that have lost the ability to hunt ungulates.
Reproduction and lifespan
Sexual maturity of lionesses occurs at 4 years of age. The birth of offspring is not tied to seasons, so there may be cubs of different ages next to the mother. Pregnancy lasts up to 110 days, and the litter, as a rule, consists of 3 cubs. After birth, they are completely helpless: small in size, up to 30 cm long and approximately 1.5 kg in weight, and blind. They begin to see after a week, and walk after three weeks.
In the photo there are lion cubs
From the place where the babies are born, remote and hidden from the pride, the female transfers the offspring to a new rookery. He does this often to protect the cubs from predators who smell the accumulated odor. , are famous lovers of hunting little lion cubs. The lioness returns to the pride after 6-8 weeks.
If the main male in a pride gives way to a stronger one, then the offspring of the former leader have no chance of surviving. The cubs will be destroyed. There are enough threats and risks for the survival of babies, so only 20% of them grow up after two years.
In a pride, lion cubs stay close to their mother; other females do not always allow other people’s babies to approach them. But there are cases when lion nurseries are formed from cubs under the supervision of one lioness while others hunt.
At the age of 4-5 years, young individuals who have left their native pride try to win the place of the old leader in someone else’s family. If the females support him, he will win. Many weakened lions die in defense of the pride.
The life of predators in nature is up to 15 years, and in captivity it increases significantly to 20-30 years. An animal's presence in a pride prolongs its life, in contrast to exiled individuals leading a wandering lifestyle. The royal greatness of the beast is revealed when surrounded by its pride, which is perhaps why people are so interested in this predator with family values.