- Lions are Africa’s most powerful predators. Heroic size, strength, and speed enable them to conquer even such mighty animals as the rhino and the Cape buffalo, to overtake sprinters as fast as the antelopes. Their only deadly enemy is man. Lions live on grassy plains in groups called “prides,” which may number from five to fifteen, or as many as forty. Prides often occupy one tract of land and will drive off any strange lions that intrude. Within the pride, members are loyal and affectionate, nuzzling and licking each other when they meet. Cubs are born in litters of two or three, and by two years of age only the females are still with the pride. A grown lion may measure 9 feet from nose to tail and weigh about 400 pounds. Females run a foot shorter and 100 pounds lighter. The mane is a male characteristic, but it varies with the individual: some have a great mantle, others a neck ruff, and some no mane at all.
- Lions when fed and content are the picture of relaxation. Let others graze and hunt in the heat of the day; the lion prefers to loll those hours away in tall grass or the shade of a tree. But a hungry lion is a different story. Prodded by hunger, it becomes active, bold, determined,m and very much the King of Beasts. Lions will eat almost anything, but prefer animals, like the zebra and wildebeest, that are big enough to feed the pride. Hunting is done at night, and the lioness usually makes the kill, although males will help bring down large animals, like the giraffe and the Cape buffalo. Often the male circles upwind of the prey and then, with a mighty roar, stampedes it into the path of the waiting female. Over a short distance, she can run at a speed of 35 miles per hour, fast enough to keep up with all but the swiftest grazing game. The kill is made by gripping the prey’s throat in a suffocation bite, or by leaping onto its back and clawing its muzzle to turn the head, so that the animal stumbles and falls. Young lions go through a long and arduous training period in learning to hunt. As cubs they are taught to attack game caught and held for them by the lioness. In the first year of life the cubs do plenty of playful mauling and wrestling and learn to use their fangs and claws. At eighteen months they have the size and weight to try bringing down game in the field. It is often a painful lessons, as the biting, kicking victims throw off the awkward student. In time, however, the young lion learns to coordinate his strength, weight, and weapons. When this time comes, nothing in his domain can stand up to him. From then on, he is monarch of all he surveys.