Lions
Describe the animal
A lion is a big, powerful cat. It is the second largest member in the cat family. They are built for strength, not speed. A male lion usually weighs 350-400 pounds but some can weigh up to 560. Only male lions have manes that are around their necks and heads surrounding their face. Female lions are smaller than males, weighing about 200-300 pounds. The lions coat color is for hiding, the light brown blends in with dead grass. This helps with catching it’s prey.
Schaller, George B. "Lion." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:African_Lion_Panthera_leo_Male_Pittsburgh_2800px.jpg 30 Oct. 2013
How is it born? How does the mother care for it’s young?
A lioness becomes an adult and mates with a male when she is from 3 to 4 years old. About 31/2 months later, she has cubs born into a thicket. The cubs are blind and helpless at birth, and weigh about 3 pounds each. The mother will carry her cubs in her mouth from different hiding spots to keep them safe.
Schaller, George B. "Lion." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013http://designlap.com/lion-pictures/ 30 Oct. 2013
How does it get it’s food? What does it eat?
At first, the cubs live off of their mother’s milk. When they become about 1 year old their mother takes them to her kill and shares the meat. When they grow up to about 20-30 months old, they learn to hunt. That’s how they eat, by killing prey such as: zebra, antelope, buffalo, and warthog. A lion’s eating schedules varies. They usually eat every 3-4 days and they stuff themselves when they get a meal. A lion can eat up to 75 pounds in one feast.
Schaller, George B. "Lion." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
Where does it live, and what are some of it’s habits?
Lions live in the eastern and central part of Africa. Most lions live in National Parks away from hunters. Hundreds of lions also live in zoos for protection or for human entertainment. Circuses can train lions to do performances in their shows also. Lions stay in Prides which include up to 20 lions. They will stay in a specific area where there is plentiful food and water. These areas sometimes take up to 15 square miles. Lions can walk up to 5 miles in one day. If searching for food, they will walk up to 15 miles in one day.
Schaller, George B. "Lion." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
Who are it’s enemies, and how does it defend itself?
Enemies include buffalo, elephants, and hyenas but man is a lion’s biggest enemy. A lion defends itself by blending in and hiding with it’s brown fur and it’s big claws and killer teeth help if a lion ever needs to fight for prey or feels danger.
Cyberzia Ltd. “Lion’s Enemies” African Lion Data. Afrizim, 2012. http://www.afrizim.com/travel_guides/Animals/Lions.asp 28 Oct. 2013