As the second largest felines on earth lions are one of the most aesthetically endowed animals on earth. Fascination with lions dates back to the 18th century when lions were reared by the romans to fight with gladiators in colassal stadiums. Often hunted for their valuable skins and manes lions have become endagered in certain parts of the world like northern india and Asia. Most of the lion populations today reside in East and Central Africa.

On average lions weigh about 150kg although some large males have weighed in at an excess of 250kg. Lions tend to live in social units called prides and unlike other reclusive big cats tend to be very sociable and have regular grooming sessions to enforce ties. The pride usually consists of 2 or more large males, several lionesses and cubs. The male lion which is characterized by its large mane tends to act as the head of the pride.. Two or more coexisting male lions tend to be from the same family. The males role consists of patrolling the territory and warding off potential rival males who will not hesitate to kill cubs that are not of their bloodline.

The life expectancy of male lions in the wild tends to be 10yrs significantly lower than that of the females which is considered to be 14yrs. This is because male lions tend to get into violent conflicts with rival males as they defend their pride. The lionesses tend to be the hunters in the group as they are smaller,swifter and more agile than the males whose large manes slow them down and tend to cause heat exortion. Male lions however get involved in the hunt of larger prey such as buffalo as their weight is essential in bringing down the prey.

At meals the males tend to have the first pickings of the prime organs and any adolescent males which fails to aknowledge the males dominance are severely reprimanded and may be expelled from the pride. Males are also more willing to share their meal with cubs than the females. Like in human society males and females that show greater strength and skill in hunting achieve a higher rank in the pride.

Lions are not known to have any natural predators but due to competition from other carnivores in the same area may occasionally come into conflict with hyenas and other lion prides as resources become scarce. Reproduction in lions is sporadic and doesnt occur at any specific time of the year. Suprising to note is that it has been documented that homosexuality may occur between two males with one mounting if they fail to secure a pride of females.

When the female is on heat she may mate with several males and copulation occurs about twenty to forty times a day as the males penis has to rake the vaginal walls to facilitate ovulation. Gestation period in lions is usually 110 days and lions in captivity tend to have better birth success rates.

All in all lions are magnificent beasts that we all truly admire and better care and protection has to be put in place to ensure this incredible big cats live to be seen by our children and great grand children.