The African Lion by Emma Wolmarans
The African Lion
The African lion’s scientific name is Panthera Leo. It can be as tall as 1.6-2.5meters! It can weigh up to 120kg – 249kg! The large cat has a tawny colour around its ears and tail. Male Lions have darker hair on their head and shoulders also a thicker mane than female lions. The body covering is fur and its colours varies from creamy tan to a brown colour! The tail normally has a dark tuft of hair. The African lion can be found lying in the grassy plains and savannah in sub-Saharan Africa.
The African lion has no specific habitat preference so they can be encountered anywhere except in the forests. The African lion habitats include open plains, woodlands, thick bushland and semi desert. Lions feed on medium and large sized prey. Here are some examples of what might be on their menu. Zebras, giraffes, pigs, Cape buffalo, gemsbok, antelope and wildebeests, warthogs and various types of antelope. They may also hunt and eat young rhinos, hippos or elephants lions also take over kills made by Hyenas, Cheetahs & Leopards. often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards,often take over kills made by hyenas, cheetahs and leopards, Humans are the African lion’s only predators!
The lion’s paws are equipped with soft pads so that it can make its movements quietly. Large and sharp claws is one of the best adaptations of African lions. They use their sharp claws to kill their prey and tear meat from the prey's body, after it has been killed. Sharp claws are also used for defense and to display their strength and power to other animals. This also helps in keeping predators and competitors away. Claws also provide the required grip to lions so that they can easily gain speed while running.The lion’s eyes are very well-adapted for use under very low light. This helps the lion hunt at night time. Their sense of smell is amazing! Lions mark there territories by their scent. This also helps them to obtain an easy meal. Lion’s teeth are adapted for killing their prey and eating the prey. The Lions carnassals are used like a sharp pair of scissors. Their carnassals are designed for cutting and tearing.
Lions hum when they are content. They make a puffing sound when they approach each other with good intentions. Grunting is a sound they produce to keep in touch when they are moving to one area to the other. Finally comes the roaring, we are all very well familiar with. Females roar to protect their cubs from other animals or when they call other females to help fight the intruders off. Males roar to specify their location, display their strength, and signal other animals to stay away from the pride. The species of lions is nocturnal and prefer to hunt in the darkness of the night. They often hunt for food in groups and females do all the hunting. Another reason for hunting during the night is that lions get tired very quickly due to their muscular body.
The African lion conservation status is vulnerable. Its estimated population is a total of 23,000.The African lions biggest threat is habitat loss.
We know that the African lion is an amazing animal they are miraculous! Except if you get eaten! So help keep on saving the lion from extinction because they are amazing. Because they are vulnerable we want them to be in the least concern status. So let’s save lions!