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Lion
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Lion Description |
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This "big"
cat is unique among the usually solitary felids in forming
long-term social bonds, with related females and their
young forming a group called a pride, and remaining
together over several generations. Around two or three
unrelated males or four or five related males form a
loose "coalition" and defend a large area
against other coalitions of males.They mate with the
pride occupying this territory for a period of two or
three years, until they are driven out by a contending
group of males.
The Lion usually hunts by a low stalk, alternately creeping
and freezing, making the best use of cover. Pride members
may hunt cooperatively, fanning out to close in on large
quarry such as Wildebeest, Impala, Zebra, or buffalo.Males
living with a pride let the females hunt, but have first
access to the kill.
Varying widely in color from light buff and silvery
gray, to yellowish red and dark ocher-brown, the Lion
is instantly recognizable by the male's magnificent
mane.
Lion cubs, sometimes born with their eyes open they
follow their mother after three months, beginning to
participate in kills at about 11 months. Females of
the pride tend to give birth around the same time, and
suckle each other's young.
Seriously threatened by the expansion of human activities
and persecution, the Lion has become extinct in Asia,
except in the Gir Forest in N.W. India. |
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