Lion

Lion //Panthera leo//
 * phyla:** Chordata
 * class:** mammalia


 * Location:** Predominantly in Africa but can be found in some parts of Asia.
 * Size**: Can grow up to 4.7 to 8.2 feet in length and can weigh between 264 and 550 pounds.

Living Requirements: Requires tall grasses to sneak up on prey and the occasional tree to relax in the shade. Needs to be around, or follow there prey during migrations.
 * Description of Habitat:** Arid plans and savanna grasslands.


 * Life cycle**: Lions are born as cubs in average little sizes of 3 cubs. The female cubs born in the pride will stay in the pride while the males will eventually be kicked out and sent to find or take over his own pride. If another male lion takes over a pride with cubs already born he will most often kill those cubs to prevent the previous lions genes from continuing on.


 * Male/Female differences**: Males are larger in size than the females and are also equipped with a large mane.
 * Facts:** The lions claws are retractable so they wont get worn down and they stay sharp to use against its prey. Lions do not chew there food in tiny pieces, instead they swallow whole chunks of meat so they can eat as much as they can as fast as they can. Lions can roar so loud its said that you can hear them from a few miles away.




 * Threatened/Endangered:** Lions are currently a threatened species. Lions are hunted by humans and are losing there habitat which is resulting in the 20% decline in population in the past 20 years. Also, the lions food is decreasing because of the fact that other animals are hunting more and more of the lions food they rely on. The lion has many conservation groups and laws trying to protect it from further decline and extinction. It is a beautiful animal and if it were to go extinct would be a tradegy and setback in all conservation programs around the world.
 * Human Impact:** Humans have impacted the lion by poaching, taking there habitat, and hunting the animals they rely on for food.