Fauna
Mammal

Lion

Panthera leo

Also known as African Lion, Asiatic Lion

Lions are the only truly social wild cats, living in cohesive prides composed of related females, their offspring, and a coalition of resident males. Roars can echo up to eight kilometers away, serving to proclaim territory and maintain contact among pride members across open landscapes. As apex predators, they orchestrate coordinated group hunts primarily at night, targeting large ungulates to sustain the pride.

SocialApex PredatorMammal
Lion reference1 / 7
"African Lion" by Mathias Appel is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/. · cc0
—observations
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—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPlains Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, African Buffalo
Predators
  • Spotted Hyena
  • Nile Crocodile
ThreatsHabitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, retaliatory killings, poaching, prey depletion
HabitatsSavannas, grasslands, shrublands, open woodlands, semi-deserts
Life span10–15 years in the wild
Size / weight1.4–2.5 m long; 120–250 kg
Classification
  1. OrderCarnivora
  2. FamilyFelidae
  3. GenusPanthera
  4. SpeciesPanthera leo
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Large apex predator capable of fatal attacks; observe only from an enclosed safari vehicle at a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Massive bite force, muscular build, and predatory instincts make lions fully capable of inflicting fatal injuries on humans.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Massive felids with short tawny coats, rounded ears, and dark tail tufts, with adult males bearing broad dark manes.
What to do
Remain inside a secure vehicle at all times while viewing lions in the wild, avoiding loud noises or sudden movements.
What to notice
Recognizable by their impressive size, social group arrangements, and distinctive roaring calls across open terrain.
Support conservation
Support responsible ecotourism that funds protected area management, and never disturb resting or hunting prides.
Responsible observation
  • Safari Etiquette: Keep all body parts inside the vehicle and speak softly to avoid disrupting natural pride behavior.
  • Night Sightings: Avoid shining bright white lights directly into eyes during night drives to protect nocturnal vision.
  • Recognizing Stress: Watch for flattened ears, twitching tail tips, or low growls indicating agitation.
Related species
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