| Lion Panthera leo |
Size: females 120-182 kg (265-400 lbs) males 150-250 kg (330-550 lbs).
Habitat: Lions are usually found in open habitats such as grassy plains, arid woodlands, and semi-desert.
Primary prey: Lions usually kill prey larger than themselves, such as zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo but will also take smaller antelopes and warthogs. Lions will eat carrion and often steal carcasses from other predators such as hyenas, cheetahs, and wild dogs. .
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (endangered in Asia).
Principal threats: Loss of habitat ; illegal hunting.
Distribution: The distribution of the lion has diminished greatly over the last 2000 years. Formerly found throughout Africa, southern Europe and east to India, lions are now confined to sub-saharan Africa and a small population in India.
Notable Features:Along with tigers, lions are one of the two largest living species of cats today. Lions are the most social of all living cats, living in prides of related females, their offspring and one or a few adult males.
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