44. David and Goliath of the Savannah
Do not underestimate porcupines! They often win during lion encounters, using their super-sharp defenses to inflict pain and cause infections. After a while, sense will win over hunger, and lions will walk away.
45. Nonverbal Communication
Actions speak louder than roars. When a lion returns after a fight, the pride welcomes it by rubbing heads. They could also lick each other to show affection and provide grooming.
46. You’re Gonna Hear Them Roar
Lions are loud! At 114 decibels, their roar can rival the sound of thunder or a jet plane taking off. It is their way of establishing territory, maintaining contact across miles, or asking for help. The roar can be heard up to five miles away.
47. An Unusual Adoption
Lions usually prey on antelopes, but there was one time when the predator became the protector. In 2002, conservationists discovered a lioness that adopted a baby antelope and took care of it for a while.
48. Solitary Lions
Anti-social lions exist! In barren deserts, you would want to keep every scrap of food for yourself. Forming a pride does not make sense, so lions live alone and develop more skills as independent hunters. You will find a lot of them in Samburu, Kenya.
Lions and Humans
49. Lion Goddess
Egyptians worshipped the warrior-goddess Sekhmet, often portrayed as a woman with the head of a lion. According to legend, she could breathe fire and cause plagues. Pharaohs sought her protection whenever they went to war.
50. The Sphinx
The sphinx is an intelligent lion with a human head. It even has the wings of a falcon. Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Persians feared it. In the tale of Oedipus, the sphinx ate anyone who could not solve its riddle.
51. Richard the Lionheart
Richard I of England has a reputation for being an exceptional military leader and warrior. His great seal features three lions. It continues to appear on British coins a thousand years later.
52. National Animal
The lion symbolizes strength and courage, so multiple countries declare it their national animal. They include Albania, Luxemburg, Belgium, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, England, and the Netherlands.
53. A Lion City by the Sea
The merlion is the national symbol of Singapore. This mythical creature has a head of a lion, but the lower half is a fish tail. It perfectly captures the history of the place. It was once a fishing village. Its original name, Singapura, means lion city.
54. The Chronicles of Narnia
Aslan is a talking lion in the fantasy novel and movie. He is the true king of Narnia who returned to fight the White Witch. The word Aslan means lion in Mongolia and Turkey.
55. The Wizard of Oz
The Cowardly Lion is a character consumed by fear and doubt. It is far from his supposed role as king of the beasts. Thanks to the Wizard, he realized that courage means acting despite fear and that he was brave all along.
56. MGM Studios Lion
You have probably seen it roar onscreen. Leo the Lion is the official mascot of MGM Studios. It survived multiple accidents, including a studio explosion, a plane crash, a sinking ship, and two train wrecks — earning it the nickname Leo the Lucky.
57. Constellation Leo
Leo is a group of stars visible in the spring. According to the myth, this Nemean Lion terrorized people and broke all their weapons. Hercules slayed it as part of his 12 Labors and placed it in the heavens for everyone to see.
58. Maasai Community in Kenya
For centuries, killing a lion was considered a rite of passage for traditional Maasai warriors. Now they protect the lions as part of the local conservation program, patrolling the area to dissuade hunters and helping their population recover. This concludes the list of facts about lions, we hope you enjoyed reading.
Lion – quick facts and essential statistics
| Scientific name | Panthera Leo |
|---|---|
| Weight | Males: 330 to 570 pounds Females: 270 to 400 pounds pbs.org |
| Height | Males: 4 feet at the shoulder area |
| Length | Males: 5.6 to 8.3 feet Females: 4.6 to 5.7 feet |
| Lifespan in wild and in captivity | Males: 8 to 12 years Females: 10 to 15 years Females typically live longer than the males |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Speed | up to 80 km/h (short bursts) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Suborder | Feliformia |
| Family | Felidae |
| Subfamily | Pantherinae |
| Genus | Panthera |
| Species | Leo |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, thick grassland, and brush habitat. They are mostly found in Africa, and a small population remains in the Gir Forest of northwest India |
| Diet | Lions are Obligate Carnivores (meaning they only consume animal flesh for nourishment.) chicken, rabbit, sheep, beef and horse. Typically they consume 20 pounds of meat each day. |
| Litter size | One to six cubs, two to four being usual |
| Territory area | Between 8 and 400 square km |
| Gestation period | about 108 days |