The biggest and strongest predator of the African savanna – the lion – not without reason causes both fear, and admiration. The head of a young lion is decorated by quite light mane which becomes more dark with age. Females of such ornament have no.
Reproduction
The period of pairing of lions does not belong to a certain season therefore cubs are born at all seasons of the year. Pairing is followed by bloody duels of males. The lioness gives birth to cubs of times in 2 years. Pregnancy lasts about 105-112 days. As a den of a lioness serves the cave, the gorge in the rock or the hole located in the place, remote for others. An important condition is also the proximity of a watering place. Newborn young lions are small. On wool they have a spotty drawing, later coloring becomes monophonic. In the first 2 months lioness brings up them milk. Two-month young lions together with mother leave a den, they accompany her on hunting. Young lions diligently master all necessary hunting skills. Within the first two years of life they are together with mother. In 2 years the female becomes pregnant again therefore young lions move off in searches of own territory.
FoodUsually lions come for hunting in the second half of day, in twilight. During midday heat they have a rest, lying in a shadow, or sleep. At lions excellent sight therefore they perfectly are guided even in complete darkness. The main getters in a pride are lionesses. During hunting for a large catch they at first carefully creep to it, then catch up with the victim several jumps and kill her. In spite of the fact that males do not participate in hunting, they approach production the first. The lion eats those parts of the victim most of which of all are pleasant to him. Only after the male is sated, lionesses and young growth approach production. Having gorged on, lions satisfy thirst and have a rest. To a pride from 3-4 lions one successful hunting a week suffices usually. The main production of lions – various antelopes, zebras, elephants, young rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses and also a livestock. Besides, the lion eats drop and small animals including mouse-like rodents. During the droughty periods of a lioness hunt at a watering place.
Way of life
Unlike many other representatives of the cat family leading a single life, lions live not only alone and couples, but also in small groups – prides. Can be in each pride from 4 to Z0 of individuals. 1-2 adult males, females and young growth enter a pride. Prides are on individual sites which males protect from rivals as the winner acquires the right to become at the head of a pride and to copulate with females. In turn those protect the territory from females from other prides. Between lions there are bloody duels which are often coming to an end even with the death of one of rivals. At lions the sexual dimorphism – a lioness is very strongly developed by less than the sizes and has no mane. This phenomenon is characteristic only of the few predators. Researchers noticed that approximately in two years the lion ceases to be interested in females from the pride and leaves it to win other group of lionesses in fight. The winner male copulates with females from others pride. Scientists consider that the nature so disposed that in a pride there was no incest.
Habitats
The lion lives in the Central Africa, in the south from the Sahara. The Asian lion meets in the Indian state of Gujarat, in the Mountain forest.