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Lion

Fearsome, proud, regal... The King of the Jungle!
Without much else, most people could easily use the preceding words to describe one of the greatest animals on the planet – a mighty powerful animal of majesty, the Lion is revered and feared the world over.

Being one of Africa's famous Big 5 and the second largest member of the feline family, the lion has an incredibly recognisable appearance with its long tan body and slightly white belly. The males are are typically 4 feet in height and weigh between 450 - 500 pounds, while the females weigh in the range of 300-350 and approximately 3 feet high. Length is between 6 to 8 feet for males and 5 to 6 feet for females, apart from a near 3 foot tail. The lion's coat is tawny with short fur and somewhat coarse. Males are clearly distinguished by their thick manes that cover their head in a crown of glory. The mane starts off pale in coloration and goes from shades of gold to black as the lion matures. A full black mane signifies a fully grown lion with good breeding potential and is often preferred by lionesses for a partner.

Visitors on safari to South Africa’s premier game reserve, the Kruger National Park, will be delighted at the opportunity to view this giant of the animal kingdom in a natural habitat. Since the establishment of the park in 1898, the lion has been an integral part of its wildlife and has grown exponentially throughout the years to number nearly two thousand, which is the largest population of lions in Africa.

Communal cats, African Lions are keystone predators and an embodiment of strength, speed, and ferocity. An interesting fact about these regal creatures are their sociability and their establishment of their social network called a ‘pride’. They hunt and live together, maximising their chance of success and survival during the harsher seasons. Usually, the pride consists of teamwork, a division of labour, and an extended but exclusive family unit which centres around a group of related females. The pride generally consists of 15 members – between 5 and 10 females and their young, and 2 or 3 territorial males that are usually brothers or pride mates. The regal male lions are stronger and bulkier, allowing them defend their precious pride, territory and fight off any intruders. Lionesses are the more athletic ones in the pride, since it permits them to predominate in hunting, their main role primarily in the pride. Their weapons include piercing claws, powerful jaws and canines near three inches!! Lions are opportunistic predators and can be described as both hunters and scavengers. It is not uncommon to find the lion searching for descending vultures, as this will likely lead to the discovery of a new food source for them.

Lions are carnivores with their habitats generally found in dense bush and woodlands, savannahs, and grasslands. Lionesses can typically live to between 12 and 14 years if they survive the rigours of cub-hood, but the males don’t tend to live beyond 8 years. Survival rates in the Kruger Park, though, are higher with both genders able to live up to 20 years of age.