Common name

Lion

Species name

Panthera leo

ARKive fact

The largest of Africa's carnivores, male lions typically posses a mane of hair around their heads, a feature unique amongst the cat family.

Conservation status

Vulnerable

Distribution

Formerly ranging throughout Eurasia and Africa, lions are now found only in sub-Saharan Africa, and a small isolated population of Asiatic lions remains in the Gir Forest in western India.

Habitat

Lions have a broad habitat tolerance, ranging from the savannah woodlands of East Africa to the sands of the Kalahari Desert. However, thick brush, scrub, and grass complexes appear to be optimal habitats in providing cover for hunting and denning.

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