These big cats has long been indoctrinated to all mankind-esteem, having conquered our imagination.You know them?Of course, this African lions.We honor these animals, endow them the best human qualities: courage, generosity, loyalty and strength.But folklore folklore, and do not forget that the lions - a dangerous predatory cats that can do anything for money.How do they behave in the wild?Learn!
undisputed lord of beasts
Why African lions are endowed with "royal" authority and are considered among the leaders of all modern land animals?Firstly, they have a rather regal appearance.Second, the word "lion" in our imagination arises primarily large maned cat in his prime.Third, a unique black-and-brown or dark-golden mane of a lion is impossible not to be taken seriously, because it was she who gives him the greatness of the monarch!
Equally impressive voice have these majestic animals.For example, in the quiet night the lion's roar terrifies all who hear it at a distance of 8 kilometers.Many royal qualities of African lions exhibit and its behavior.In the ordinary state, these majestic predators are sociable and good-natured, unless they guard their prey or their family.However, some scientists doubt the vaunted generosity of these animals: males are often taken from their own production of females and gorge on it enough.
inhabited by African lions?
As their name implies, these predators inhabit the savannas of Africa, but may move to scrub the area or even in the woods.Once they inhabited the territory of Europe, the Middle and Near East as well as India.Unfortunately, the development of animal husbandry in the world helped to reduce populations of these animals, which in turn pushed them exclusively to the South.Currently, these animals trample the ground in Africa south of the Sahara desert, and in India are in the reserve "Garsky Forest."
second largest after the tiger
African lion - predatory mammal, one of the four big cats of the genus Panthera called.It is the second largest modern wild cat after the tiger.Weight Some lions can reach 250 kilograms, and length - 3 meters.Usually, the female order of magnitude smaller than the males: the length of their bodies does not exceed 2.2 meters and the weight is around 140 kilograms.
lions living in Africa - the only cats, which can be easily distinguished from each other in appearance and gender: there is a lioness mane.These truly majestic animals have tremendous physical strength.For example, an adult lion with one paw can knock him down to the ground trehsotkilogrammovuyu zebra!From the rest of the big cats lions are characterized by the fact that they live in groups of several related females and males.Scientists call such community prides.
How is their pride?
these African animals (lions and lionesses) - Collective residents.Usually their flock (pride) consists of 2-3 males and several lionesses with cubs.In each such family has its own leader.It need not be large and powerful animal.The main thing here - to be a leader by nature, while the other males recognize the pride and you will be respected.The leader, in turn, must be patient and kind to all members of the pride.Typically, the number of flocks of a lion is in the range of 5 to 40 animals.
Zoologists claim that all the lioness within a pride are linked by ties of kinship.They are sisters to each other, mothers, cousins, daughters, grandchildren, grandmothers.As a rule, lionesses born in the pack, and it remains until the end, but if the group is growing rapidly, the Pride can be divided into two parts.Females together to take care of their offspring and foreign, to protect their possessions, hunt together and eat food.
But not always in the lion family, all sweet, so smooth.It is not always favorable to its female African lions.Soulless males can simply select the females and children of their own food, is not enough nazhrutsya themselves.Is old or sick members of the pride leader lion does not protect, and vice versa, it runs away from the pack.If the leader himself odryahleet is old, it becomes food for the hyenas.Such are challenging their relationship.Who said that a lion - a noble creature?
How did they hunt?
foraging in the lives of these predators, as well as in the life of any other animal, is of paramount importance.The obligation in procuring food within the Pride is assigned to females, males are responsible for the safety of his family, as well as participate in procreation.Lionesses who are in a pack, hunting his own group.Their extraction - large hoofed animals, such as antelope.The food they get in three different ways:
- independent daily hunting of African lions;
- taking away food from other animals;
- eating carrion (already dead animals).
lionesses usually hunt during the day, but with a strong sense of hunger, they do it all day and night.In this period they attack not only on large ungulates, but also on hippos, birds, rabbits, mice, people ... As soon spotted a lioness prey, they are very quietly picked up close to her, and then applied a sudden and lightning strike.Once extraction is stunned, lioness come to the aid of her cousin.
How old lions live?
In nature, these predators like regular cats live 10 to 15 years.In captivity, African lions (circus, zoo) live up to 25 years.As a rule, in the wild, males seldom live at least 10 years.This is understandable: the brutal fight with the other lions impose its imprint on it.Ka has been said above, the number of African predators inevitably reduced.Over the past 20 years, their population has declined by 40%.
Leo human culture
No wonder the ancient Egyptians depicted the lion as a symbol of divine power and kingship (remember the Sphinx?).The ancient Greeks and Assyrians all seen these majestic animals satellites goddesses.It is believed that in the early Christian folklore and art of a lion could symbolize Jesus Christ himself.In the Middle Ages, these predators are decorated with the coats of arms of many houses belonging to kings and princes.
