Lion

Panthera leo

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Mammalia · Carnivora · Felidae

About

The lion is a large cat of the genus Panthera, currently ranging only in Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane that which extends from the head to the shoulders and chest.

Fun Fact

A lion's roar can be heard from 8 km away — the loudest of any big cat — and the larynx contains a square-shaped vocal fold that allows the animal to produce enormous volume with minimal lung pressure.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Grasslands and savannas

Diet

Carnivore

Lifespan

10-14 years

Threats

Illegal Wildlife Trade
Poaching
Overgrazing

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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