About the Lion

Lions are large cats native to Africa and one small population in India. Known as the 'king of the jungle', lions are the only truly social cats, living in groups called prides. Male lions are easily recognized by their impressive manes, which serve to make them look larger and more intimidating to rivals. Lions are apex predators, primarily hunting large ungulates like wildebeest and zebra. They are mostly nocturnal, spending much of the day resting and conserving energy for nighttime hunts. Female lions do most of the hunting for the pride, while males patrol and defend the pride's territory. Lions communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including their iconic roar, as well as scent marking and body language.