Animal Unique | Lion | Lion is a carnivore (meat eater) and a hunter. Lions are mostly found in Africa and a small reserve in India. The lion is the second largest member of the cat family that lives in Africa. It hunts many animals and people they can live in cold regions, a very hot environment or in dense forests. In the past there were lions in the wild in Europe. Today, many lions live in zoos around the world. In the past they lived in northern India, Pakistan, and Arabia. Lions are also used as symbols of courage. They appear in heraldry often than any other animal. They are considered the king of animals and the icon of courage and royalty.
The lion is the highest of all living cats, bigger than the tiger. Behind only the tiger, the lion is the second largest living felid in height and weight. Its skull is very similar to that of the tiger, although the frontal region is usually depressed and flat, with a shorter post-orbital region. The largest skull has broader nasal openings than the tiger. Because of the amount of variation in the skull, two types, generally only the structure of the lower jaw can be used as a reliable indicator species. Lion color varies from light buff to yellowish, reddish or dark ochraceous brown. The abdomen are generally lighter and the tail tuft is black. Lion cubs are born with brown rosettes (spots) on their body, like that of a leopard. Although these fade as lions reach adulthood,
faint spots often can still be seen on the legs and abdomen, particularly on lionesses. Lions spend much of their time resting and are inactive for approximately 20 hours per day. Although lions can be active at any time, their activity generally peaks after dusk with a period of socializing, grooming and defecating. Intermittent bursts of activity through the night to follow until dawn, when hunting usually takes place. They typically spend two hours a day walking and 50 minutes eating. Lions are the most socially inclined of wild felids still free solitary character. The lion is a predatory carnivores who manifest two types of social organization. Some are residents, living in groups, called pride. Male are 20 to 35% larger than the females
and 50% heavier. The male's most important role is the pride of territory and to protect women against other males. Size is an advantage but it increases the male need for food. Only males grow manes. It makes him look bigger without increasing its weight or need for food. It also protects him from bites and scratches he should go to another man to fight. Each lion, so called, "whisker spots". The pattern is formed by the top row of whiskers differs in each lion and remains the same throughout its lifetime. Field researchers often use this
unique pattern to identify specific animals. Lions are powerful animals who usually hunt in coordinated groups and stalk their chosen prey. They are not particularly known for their endurance. The lioness is one who is hunting the pride, for the lioness is more aggressive. The male lion usually stays and looks at the young in anticipation of the lionesses to return from hunting. Typically, several female lions work together and encircle the herd from different angles. Once they have with a herd, they usually target the closest prey. The attack is
short and powerful, they try to catch the victim with a fast rush and final leap. The prey consists mainly of large mammals, with a preference for wildebeest, impalas, zebras, buffalo and warthogs in Africa and nilgai, wild boar, deer and several species in India. When resting, lion socialization occurs through a number of behaviors, and the animal expressive movements are highly developed. The most common peaceful tactile gestures are head rubbing and social licking, which were compared with care in primates. Lions have a range of facial expressions and body postures that serve as visual gestures. Lions tend to bellow in a very characteristic manner, starting with a couple of deep, longitudinal roar consisting of course in a series of
roar shorter. They often at night. Lions have the loudest roar of a big cat. Most lions now live in eastern and southern Africa, and their numbers are rapidly, with an estimated 30-50% decline in the past two decades. Lions are part of a group of exotic animals that are the core of the zoo exhibits since the late eighteenth century, the members of this group are always large vertebrates and include elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, large primates, and other big cats; zoos sought to gather as much these species. The lion is an icon for humanity for thousands of years in cultures in Europe, Asia and Africa. Despite incidents of attacks on humans, lions have enjoyed a positive image in the culture as strong but noble. A common conception is their representation as "king of the jungle" or "king of beasts", hence the lion is a popular symbol of royalty and stateliness, but also a symbol of courage. Copyright By: IMAGENES, Source Link
