TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT LIONS
1. NEARLY ALL WILD LIONS LIVE IN AFRICA, BUT ONE SMALL POPULATION EXISTS ELSEWHERE… Nearly all wild lions live in Africa, below the Sahara Desert, but one small population exists around Gir Forest National Park in western India. Lions in west and central Africa are more closely related to these Asiatic lions in India, than to those found in southern and east Africa. © Randy Feuerstein 2. THEY CAN WEIGH 30 STONE On average, males weigh 190kg (almost 30 stone) and females weigh 126kg (almost 20 stone). They need this weight and power behind them to hunt large prey and defend their pride. © Karen Polzin 3. THEY START OFF SPOTTY Young lions have rosettes and spots on their sandy coats, but these generally disappear as they mature. © Richard Barrett / WWF-UK 4. MALES’ MAGNIFICENT MANES TELL A STORY Male lions grow impressive manes the older they get. These manes grow up to 16cm long and are a sign of dominance. The older they get, the darker their manes go. As well as attracti