Read and React – Mammals – The Carnivores
Reading Page
The African Lion
Panthera leo
Lions have been called the “King of the Jungle,” but the truth is they are not found in jungle at all. They are
found on the African savannah and veldt. These are grasslands and open woodlands on the edge of grasslands.
These habitats are located in a band across central Africa and down into the Southern part of the Continent.
Lions are one of Africa’s largest carnivores. Males can reach up to eight feet long not including the three
foot tail. They can weigh up to 500 pounds, though most are smaller. Females are smaller than males. They only
reach about six feet, long not including the three foot tail. Males have a large mane around the face and neck.
Adult lions are tan to light brown in color with no markings or spots.
Lions live in large family groups of twenty or more lions. These are called prides. Every pride usually has
two males and many related females with their young. The females stay together for life. The males compete
with each other for control of their pride. Once a male gets too old to fight for his pride, he loses it to a younger,
stronger male. This keeps the more fit males as fathers to the new young.
Lions are carnivores. They hunt the grazing animals that live out on the savannah. They eat wildebeest,
zebra, giraffes, gazelles, cape buffalo, young elephants, rhinoceros and hippopotamus.
Female lions are pregnant for about four months. This is called gestation. They have one to six cubs. Only
half of the cubs will survive to be adults. The females will have cubs every 1.5 to two years.
Male lions live for up to 16 years in the wild, but usually much shorter. Females live longer than males,
sometimes up to 18 years. Lions can live a lot longer in captivity.
The lion has no natural predators. Young cubs may be killed by a new male taking over the pride. An adult
lion may be killed by an elephant defending its calf. The only true predator of lions is man. Lions are not considered endangered in their African range. The lions in Asia, however, are endangered.
Read and React – Mammals – The Carnivores
Reaction Page
The African Lion
Panthera leo
Note the range of the African Lion. Outline
and color the range and label the continents
where they are found.
Answer the 10 questions about lions from
your reading.
1) In what habitats are lions found? ___________________________________________________________.
2) How long is a lion’s tail? _________________________________________________________________.
3) Which is larger, a male lion or a female lion? _________________________________________________.
4) A family of lions is called a _______________________________________________________________.
5) Of the following animals, which one does the lion NOT eat – wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, kangaroo,
cape buffalo? ____________________________________________________________________________.
6) What is the only true predator of lions? _____________________________________________________.
7) How long are female lions pregnant? ______________________________________________________.
8) What percentage of lion cubs die before reaching adulthood?____________________________________.
9) Which live longer usually, males or females? ________________________________________________.
10) Where are lions endangered? ___________________________________________________________.
Color and Label
the African Lion