Lions are the only social wild cats.They live in family groups called 'prides',which are made up of as many as 12 females and their young,and up to three adult males.
Most lions are found in Africa,but small populations still exist in north west India.They prefer habitats of grassy plains,savannah and open woodland,but can occasionally be found in areas of semi-desert.
Lions have tawny yellow coats.Males have thick woolly manes that darken with age,so old males are sometimes called black-maned lions.The main role of male lions is to protect the pride,and their manes make them look larger to other male rivals.If a new male does join the pride he will kill all the cubs and mate with the females so he becomes the dominant male,and father of all the young.
Lions are quite lazy creatures,and spend as much as 20 hours a day resting!Females do most of the hunting,and often work together in groups.They usually hunt during the day and prey upon mammals like antelope and zebra.The phrase 'the lion's share' comes from the males' habit of eating before the rest of the pride.
Lions will breed at any time of the year,and females give birth to litters of between two and six cubs.The cubs are born with spots,but they fade as they get older.Young cubs are extremely vulnerable and only 20% will survive to reach two years old.
