Some Facts About Lions.

🦁 General Facts

1. Lions are the only social cats.
   They live in groups called prides, usually consisting of related females, their cubs, and a few males.
2. Male lions have manes.
   The mane not only makes them look bigger but also protects their neck in fights.
3. Lions are not actually jungle dwellers.
   They mostly live in grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands in Africa.
4. They are apex predators.
   Lions sit at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators (except humans).
5. A lion’s roar is the loudest of any big cat.
   It can be heard up to 5 miles (8 km) away.

🐾 Behavior & Biology

6. Females do most of the hunting.
   While males protect the pride, lionesses hunt in groups to catch prey.
7. They sleep a lot.
   Lions can sleep or rest for 16 to 20 hours a day to conserve energy.
8. Lions are territorial.
   Prides protect their land fiercely, often engaging in battles with rival groups.
9. They are fast but not long-distance runners.
   Lions can sprint up to 50 mph (80 km/h) but only for short bursts.
10. Lions communicate in many ways.
    They use roars, growls, facial expressions, and scent marking.

🍼 Cubs and Reproduction

11. Cubs are born blind.
    Their eyes open after about a week, and they begin walking at 2–3 weeks.
12. Cubs are raised together.
    In a pride, all lionesses help nurse and protect the young, even if they’re not their own.
13. Male lions may kill cubs.
    When taking over a pride, new males often kill the existing cubs to bring females into heat.
14. Lions reach maturity at 2-3 years.
    Males often leave their pride at this age to form coalitions or take over new prides.
15. A lioness gives birth to 1–4 cubs.
    The gestation period is about 110 days.

🌍 Conservation & Uniqueness

16. Wild lions are only found in two places.
    They live in Africa and a small population survives in India’s Gir Forest.
17. Lions are a vulnerable species.
    Due to habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans, lion numbers are decreasing.
18. They can live up to 14 years in the wild.
    In captivity, they may live more than 20 years.
19. White lions exist.
    White lions are not albinos but have a rare gene called leucism, giving them pale fur.
20. Lion numbers have dropped by 50% in the last 25 years.
    Conservation efforts are crucial to prevent extinction.