Africa has long attracted Europeans to its rich and diverse flora and fauna.It became a landmark for the continent's animals such as giraffe, rhino, elephant, lion.King of beasts - one of the most important representatives of the cat, and it is different not only in size.The image of his life, too, is not typical for the family.It deserves special attention.
The appearance of a lion
Before you know where he lives lion describe his appearance.These animals belong to carnivores of the cat family.Total known for more than ten subspecies.The males are very large.Their average weight is from 170 to 185 kilograms.The body has a length of one hundred seventy to two hundred and twenty centimeters.And that's not counting the tail!Males differ from females rich mane of light or dark shades.At the tail - the brush.The fur on the belly of the animal white color, the top color varies from light sand to tan.On the face, in the area of whiskers, the lions have spots that are unique to each individual.This feature is used when observing the animals for identification.Females have a more modest size: an average of about one hundred and fifty centimeters.The weight can be from 120 to 150 kilograms.This predator is not only strength, agility, and calm disposition.For a man is not dangerous, it is rarely attacked himself.Most often this happens if the animal is injured.
Pride
Nature lovers are wondering where the lions live.In the savanna in Africa.They inhabit the grassy plains, not only, but also of the hot semi-desert of the continent.They form a family, the so-called Pride.This is not a typical cat.The group includes a dominant male, several adult females and cubs of both sexes.An average of about 13 animals.Roles strictly distributed.Females are responsible for the young and hunt.Lions are the only males as guards the territory.And as a result of the clashes, they can even kill other members of the cat, and hyenas.As the production of these large predators are the antelope, and even elephants.It also happens that the family specializes in only one form of production.To feed, adult males need to eat at a time from 18 to 31 kilograms of meat.Lions eat once in 2-3 days.But at the same time tolerate without food for a long time, up to several weeks.The dominant male eats first, then - female, in the last instance - Young.At night the lions sleep up to 20 hours.
rearing
The mating season occurs between lions fighting over a female.It often happens as a result of one of the opponents killed.The Pride, where he lives lion dominant male mates with a lioness.In the process, he very gently biting her nape.It is common for cats.After three and a half months pregnant female leaves the family group, he finds shelter and procreate.Cubs are born with a spotted cloth, helpless and blind.Up to six or seven months of age, they suck breast milk, and then move on to the meat food.Lioness returns to flock to the grown cubs.Adult animals raising young, but as soon as they reach puberty, males are expelled.The family group should stay stronger.Therefore, where the lion lives, occupying a dominant position, other males do nothing.If juveniles expelled from the family returned, they may be killed by his own father.Lionesses who are in the pride, too, chased grown females.Lonely predators do not live long, they are killed in clashes in the struggle for their role in the family.Often expelled the male creates his own family group.But for this he must gain experience and strength.
Habitat and hunting
you want to know what area of the lions?Their main habitat - sub-Saharan Africa and in India, Girskom forest.In the past, these animals were widespread.Tradition reports that lions lived not only in North Africa but also in India, Pakistan, Turkey and Greece.The number of these majestic predators has declined sharply due to intense hunting for their rights, but also because of the changes of habitat.Their prey can act and buffaloes and giraffes, and other hoofed animals.Most often it is the zebra and wildebeest.Hunting takes place collectively.This is mainly the task of the lionesses.They occupy a position in the ambush, and one creeps to choose a victim and throws at her.She chases the animal to lie in wait for her group.To fill up most male helps large prey.Migrating predators follow the herds of ungulates.So tell me where the lion lives rather difficult.During the seasonal movements of potential prey is often a helpless female with kittens.She takes pride.
White Lion
In nature there are animals that have reduced production of melanin - the pigment responsible for the color.The colors of the lions may vary, it is snow-white or creamy beige.A sign of this phenomenon is considered to be a recessive gene that has been preserved from the distant ancestors of predators.Where the Wild white lions, live animals and traditional painting.However, blue-eyed, fair-skins of animals is very difficult to hunt.They can not become invisible to prey disguise.
king of beasts - in nature and in captivity
In nature, there are several subspecies of lions.They vary in size, color mane.On the pages of specialized publications can be learned about the variety that has wildlife, lions - a part of it.These beautiful predators are not only in the vastness of Africa, but also in the National Zoo.They breed successfully in captivity.Some species, such as the Asian lion, is on the verge of extinction.
