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Lion
Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Scene:
Maswa Reserve, TanzaniaSponsor:
Thornton N. SniderBackground artist:
Robert Russell ReidAlso present:
Agama lizard (Agama agama)Lions are social hunters, both males and females taking part in the hunt. They normally kill with a neck bite that breaks the neck or severs vital blood vessels.
Lions were formerly more widely distributed but authorities differ on whether the cave lion of Eurasia and the American lion were different species from the African lion or only different subspecies.
Biological Information
Range:
Formerly most of Africa; now mainly restricted to parks and reserves
Habitat:
All habitats except for extensive forests or driest deserts
Status:
Vulnerable
Diet:
Carnivorous, mainly zebra and antelope
Further information anout this animal may be found on the Animal Diversity Web page for lion.