# Lion (*Panthera leo*) > Lions are large social cats native to sub-Saharan Africa, with a small population in India's Gir Forest. They live in groups called prides, can weigh up to 250 kg (550 lb), and are the only cats that hunt cooperatively. Wild lions typically live 10 to 14 years. - **Category:** Mammal - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable - **Range:** Sub-Saharan Africa, with a small surviving population in India's Gir Forest. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/lion/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Panthera ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Panthera leo | | Diet | Carnivore | | Habitat | Savanna, grassland, open woodland | | Lifespan | 10–14 years in the wild | | Weight | 120–250 kg (260–550 lb) | | Top speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) in short bursts | | Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) | ## Behavior and social structure Lions are the most social of all big cats, living in prides of related females, their cubs, and a small coalition of males. Females do most of the hunting and stay with the pride for life, while males defend the territory and the pride's borders. Lions can rest for up to 20 hours a day, conserving energy for short, explosive hunts at dawn and dusk. ## Diet and hunting As apex predators, lions hunt large herbivores such as zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and antelope. They are the only cats that hunt as a coordinated team, using teamwork to surround and ambush prey. A single lion can eat up to 40 kg (88 lb) of meat in one sitting. ## Habitat and range Most wild lions live in sub-Saharan Africa across savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands. A separate, critically small population of Asiatic lions survives only in India's Gir Forest National Park. Lions avoid dense rainforest and true desert. ## Conservation Lion numbers have fallen by roughly half over the past 25 years, driven by habitat loss, conflict with livestock farmers, and declining prey. They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and the Asiatic subspecies is Endangered. Protected reserves and community conservation programs are central to their survival. ## Communication and roaring Lions have one of the most far-reaching calls of any land animal. A full roar can be heard up to 8 km (5 miles) away and is used to advertise territory and locate pride members. They also communicate through scent-marking, head-rubbing, and a range of grunts and growls that reinforce the social bonds of the pride. ## Reproduction and cubs Lionesses in a pride often give birth around the same time and raise cubs communally, even nursing one another's young. Cubs arrive after a gestation of about 110 days, weigh roughly 1.5 kg at birth, and are hidden away for the first weeks before joining the pride. When new males take over a pride, they may kill existing cubs to bring the females back into breeding condition. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does a lion weigh? Adult males typically weigh 150 to 250 kg (330 to 550 lb) and females 120 to 180 kg (260 to 400 lb), making the lion the second-largest cat after the tiger. ### What is a group of lions called? A group of lions is called a pride. A typical pride contains several related females, their cubs, and a coalition of one to four adult males. ### How long do lions live? Wild lions live about 10 to 14 years. Females tend to live longer than males, who often die earlier due to injuries from territorial fights. In captivity, lions can reach 20 years or more. ### What do lions eat? Lions are carnivores that eat large hoofed mammals such as zebra, wildebeest, antelope, and buffalo. They hunt cooperatively in prides and can consume up to 40 kg of meat in a single meal. ### How fast can a lion run? A lion can sprint up to 80 km/h (50 mph), but only over short distances. They rely on stealth and ambush rather than sustained chases because they tire quickly. ### Are lions endangered? Lions are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, meaning they face a high risk of extinction in the wild. The Asiatic lion population in India is Endangered, with only a few hundred individuals remaining. ### Why do male lions have manes? A male lion's mane signals age, health, and dominance to rivals and potential mates. Darker, fuller manes are linked to higher testosterone and tend to attract more females and intimidate competing males. ### Do lions live in groups? Yes. Lions are the only big cats that live in social groups called prides, which typically include several related females, their cubs, and a coalition of one to four adult males. ## Sources - [Bauer, H. et al. (2016). Panthera leo. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15951/115130419) - Schaller, G. B. (1972). The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator–Prey Relations. University of Chicago Press. - Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World (6th ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. - Hayward, M. W. & Kerley, G. I. H. (2005). Prey preferences of the lion (Panthera leo). Journal of Zoology. --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/lion/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.