Where does the lion live? Species and range of distribution of animals

Africa has long attracted Europeansdiverse and rich flora and fauna. Signs for this continent were such animals as giraffe, rhinoceros, elephant, lion. The king of beasts is one of the largest representatives of felines, and it differs not only in size. The image of his life is also not typical for the family. He deserves special attention.

The appearance of a lion

Before you find out where the lion lives, let's describe itappearance. These animals belong to the predatory mammals of the cat family. In total, more than ten subspecies are known. Males are very large. On average, their weight ranges from 170 to 185 kilograms. The body has a length of one hundred and seventy to two hundred twenty centimeters. And this without taking into account the tail! From the female, the male is distinguished by a rich mane of light or dark shades. On the tail - a brush. Fur on the belly of the animal is white, from the top the color varies from light sandy to tan. On the muzzle, near the location of the vibrissae, lions have specks that are unique in each individual. This feature is used when observing animals for their identification. The females are more modest in size: on average about one hundred and fifty centimeters. Weight can be from 120 to 150 kilograms. This predator is distinguished not only by strength, dexterity, but also by calm disposition. For a person is not dangerous, rarely attacks himself. Most often this happens if the animal is injured.

Pride

Lovers of nature are interested in where the lions live. In the savannah, in Africa. They inhabit not only the grassy plains, but also the semideserts of this hot continent. They form families, the so-called pride. This is not typical for felines. The group includes one dominant male, several adult females and lions of both sexes. An average of about 13 animals. Roles are strictly distributed. Female individuals are responsible for the young and hunt. Lions-males act only as guards of the territory. And as a result of skirmishes, they can kill even other representatives of felines, as well as hyenas. As the extraction of these large predators are antelopes and even elephants. It also happens that the family specializes only in one type of production. To feed, an adult male needs to eat 18 to 31 kilograms of meat at a time. Lions eat once in 2-3 days. But at the same time they tolerate food without food for a long time, up to several weeks. First, the dominant male eats, then - females, lastly - cubs. In a day, lions sleep up to 20 hours.

Cultivation of offspring

In the mating period between the lions are fighting forthe female. Often happens when one of the opponents dies as a result. In the pride where the lion lives, the dominant male mates with the lioness. In the process, he gently bites her by the scruff of the neck. This is typical for felines. After three and a half months the pregnant female leaves the family group, finds shelter and produces offspring. Cubs are born with a spotty skin, helpless and blind. Up to six or seven months old, they suck mother's milk, and then switch to eating meat. The lioness returns to the flock with the grown up lions. Adult animals raise young, but as soon as they reach puberty, the males are expelled. In the family group must remain only the strongest. Therefore, where a lion, occupying a dominant position, lives, the other male has nothing to do. If young individuals expelled from the family return, they can be killed by their own father. The lionesses, who are in the pride, also chase the grown-up females. Lonely predators do not live long, they die in skirmishes, in the struggle for their role in the family. Often, the exiled male creates his own family group. But for this he must gain experience and strength.

Habitat and hunting

Are you curious to know what is the range of lions? Their main habitat is to the south of the Sahara and in India, in the Girsky forest. In the past, these animals were widespread. Tradition reports that lions lived not only in North Africa, but also in India, Pakistan, Turkey and Greece. The number of these majestic carnivores was sharply reduced due to intensive hunting for them, as well as due to changes in the habitat. They can be produced by buffaloes, giraffes, and other ungulate animals. Most often these are zebra and antelope-wildebeest. Hunting takes place collectively. Basically this is the task of lionesses. They take a position in an ambush, and one creeps toward the chosen victim and rushes at her. She drives the animal to the waiting group. Helps to kill the largest prey male. Migratory predators follow the herds of ungulates. Therefore, it is rather difficult to say where the lion lives. During the seasonal displacement of potential production, the female with the helpless kittens remains the most likely one. Her pride leaves.

White Lion

In nature there are animals that are reducedthe production of melanin, the pigment responsible for color. The coloring of such lions can vary, it can be snow-white or cream-beige. A sign of this phenomenon is a recessive gene, preserved from the distant ancestors of predators. Wherever white lions live, animals of traditional color also inhabit. However, blue-eyed, with a light skin of animals is very difficult to hunt. They can not become invisible to prey, disguise themselves.

The king of beasts - in nature and captivity

In nature, there are several subspecies of lions. They differ in size, coloring manes. On the pages of specialized publications one can draw information about the diversity that wildlife has, lions are part of it. These beautiful predators live not only in the African expanses, but also in national zoos. They successfully breed in captivity. Some species, for example, the Asian lion, are on the verge of extinction.