HabitatĪfrican lions once roamed most of Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. Only male lions typically boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. An adult lion’s coat is yellow-gold, and juveniles have some light spots that disappear with age. These iconic animals have powerful bodies-in the cat family, they’re second in size only to tigers-and roars that can be heard from five miles away. Though the modern lions have been classified into 24 sub-species on the basis of morphological differences (size, thickness of the coat, color of the coat, mane size, etc.) in different geographical regions, mitochondrial DNA sequence variation analysis suggests that sub-Saharan lions ( Panthera leo) should be considered as a single sub-species.Current Population Trend: Decreasing What is the African lion?Īfrican lions have been admired throughout history for as symbols of courage and strength. With the population down to less than 1,500, they are meeting the criteria for regionally Endangered in the West Africa. The African lions were classified as Vulnerable in 2004, but their numbers are declining, with their population estimated to be between 23,000 and 39,000. But thanks to the conservation efforts, the population is now around 400. The population of Asiatic lions had declined to a mere 18 animals in 1893. The African lion is the tallest animal among the members of Felidae family, and they are also second largest in the Felidae family.Ĭurrently, wild lions exist only in the sub-Saharan Africa, and a very small number of Asiatic lions (a sub-species of African lions) is found in the Gir Forest Reserve in Gujarat, India. Their interaction with females is confined to mating. On the other hand, Asiatic lions are solitary.
The females are related to each other, and never leave the pride.
While one of the male African lions leads a pride, which consists of 2-3 males, and 10-12 females.
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