by: Amy Lemons and Katie King

Table of Contents:

1 Looking at Lions

2 Mothers & Babies

3 Living Together

4 Who Does What?

5 Lounging Around

6 When Hunger Strikes

7 Feline Facts

8 Glossary

Looking at Lions Lions are mammals that live in the

south Sahara desert. Brave, strong, aggressive, and

courageous are words that are often used to describe these

interesting creatures. Let’s take a closer look at lions!

Mothers & babies Female lions are called lionesses.

Normally, lionesses will give birth to 2-3 babies, or cubs, at a time. Lion cubs drink milk from their mother and depend on their family for at

least two years while they are learning how to hunt and defend

themselves. lioness cub

Living Together Lions live together in groups called

prides. Prides can have anywhere from 3 to 40 animals. Within the pride, the lions hunt

together, defend their territory, and raise their cubs. Members of

the pride keep track of one another by roaring.

pride of lions

Who Does What? Members of the

pride play different roles. Lionesses work together to hunt and care for the cubs. Since they are smaller and

lighter than males they are able to

move more quickly and easily while

hunting.

Male lions also play an important role in the

pride. They guard and protect the territory. They also watch over

the cubs and make sure they get enough

food while the females are hunting.

female

male

Lounging Around

Did you know that lions spend the majority of their time relaxing, resting, and sleeping?

Out of 24 hours in a day, lions can lounge around for 21 of those hours! Since they

are good climbers, they can often be found resting in trees. Lions have been seen lying on their backs with their feet up in the air

while resting with their pride. It seems they also enjoy rubbing heads with one another

while relaxing.

When Hunger Strikes Lionesses usually hunt at night. They have been known to hunt antelope, zebra, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, rodents, reptiles, and more! They also scavenge or steal prey from other animals.

Lions are at the top of the food chain, so adult lions do not have

many natural predators. However,

lion cubs are vulnerable to hyenas, leopards, and black-

backed jackals. hyena

•  When a male lion joins a pride, he may kill all of the current cubs to ensure that all

future cubs have his genes. •  After a lioness goes hunting, male lions

eat first, then lionesses, then cubs. •  Lions may attack other lions if they are

defending their pride. •  Male lions are larger than females. They

also have a mane that protects their neck from the claws of other animals.

•  The mane also intimidates other animals as well as attracts lionesses!

•  cubs- a young lion (p 2) •  lionesses- female lions (p 2) •  mammal- an animal that feeds milk to

its young and usually has fur (p 1) •  mane- long, thick fur that grows

around the neck of a lion (p 7) •  pride- a group of lions that live

together (p 3) •  scavenge- to search for food to

eat (p 6) •  territory- an area that a group of

animals uses and defends (p 3)