Watch out! Here comes a lion.
Most experts agree that a lion will attack a human only if provoked. But the experts also suggest that knowledge of the warning signs are mandatory for anyone who travels by foot in the bush. An angry lion will drop to a crouch, flatten its ears, and flick its tail tip rapidly from side to side. Low grunts and growls can often be heard; and just prior to a charge, the tail is jerked up and down. While these warning signs are important, it is perhaps of greater importance that a lion can bolt from a crouch and travel 40 yards in less than 2.7 seconds.Tough Ladies
The African lion may look lazy but it's a powerful hunter that can bring down 1000-pound animals. Female lions hunt with other females. They fan out to trap speedy prey. Males usually don't hunt at all, but they are first to eat, and can devour up to 40 pounds in one feeding. They need to maintain a heavy weight for their main activity - defending territory and females from other males.Lions, species Panthera leo, are among the great or roaring cats of the family Felidae. Though the male lion is called the king of beasts, it is the less heavy and majestic female lion that does most of the stalking and killing of prey and is the center of the lion pride (family). A male lion may be 1.8-2.4 m (6-8 ft) long, with the addition of a tufted tail of 58-89 cm (23-35 in), stand about 90 cm (3 ft) tall at the shoulder, and weigh 177-227 kg (390-500 lb). Wild lions live 8-10 years, but captive lions may live 25 or more years. A lion's legs are short and massive, with large feet and heavy, sharp claws. The male's large head is usually framed with a ruff or mane. The coat is tawny yellow, with accents of black on the manes, ears, and tail tips of mature animals.
Within historic times the lion was common in many parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Today it is found only in protected areas south of the Sahara in Africa and in the Gir forest, a wildlife sanctuary in India. The Gir lions have some structural differences from the African lions. Lions favor open, grassy plains and thornbush country where water is available. They avoid dense forests. The prides are strongly territorial, defending against intrusion by other prides. Lions hunt at night and are a major factor in controlling the populations of grazing animals on the African savanna.
Everett Sentman
Bibliography: Adamson, George, My Pride and Joy (1987); Adamson, Joy, Born Free (1960) and Forever Free (1963); Bertram, Brian, A Pride of Lions (1978); Chipperfield, Mary, Lions, ed. by Maurice Yonge (1977); Pease, Alfred E., The Book of the Lion (1986); Rudnai, Judith A., The Social Life of the Lion (1973); Schaller, George B., The Serengeti Lion (1972).
Down load sounds of the African Lion ...
African Lion (afrlion.wav) - 199KB
Lion (lion.wav) - 189KB
... or this video clip of hunting african lions (lions.avi) - 1546KB
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