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Scientific Name: |
Panthera leo
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Range: |
South of the Sahara, also East and West Africa
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Habitat: |
Semi-arid regions, steppes, bush, and wild savannah
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Natural Diet: |
Ungulates such as zebras, giraffes, and gazelle; also sometimes the young of elephants, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus
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Zoo Diet: |
Meat
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Physical
Characteristics:
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Lions are two and a half to three and a half feet tall at the shoulder and weigh between 250 and 550 pounds. They are varying shades of light to medium brown with dark brown or black tufts on the tails. Males have a distinctive mane on their cheek and throat area. The cubs are born with leopard-like markings.
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Behavior: |
Lions most often live in groups called prides, although they can sometimes also be found in pairs. Lions have an important social hierarchy in their prides, which is led by an alpha male. Males are very protective of their territory and use a ferocious roar to warn intruders. The females of the group do most of the hunting.
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Reproduction: |
The gestation period for lions is between 100 to 116 days. Cubs weigh about 3 pounds at birth. There are usually 2-4 cubs in a litter, but there may be up to 7. The cubs are born spotted and with their eyes closed, which open about a week after birth.
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Video:
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Bill and Ina Go Wild
September 9, 2009
Zoo volunteers created cardboard "prey" animals for African lions Bill and Ina. Watch as Bill and Ina exhibit behaviors typical of predators on the prowl.
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Meet the Lions
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Bill
Male
Born July 22, 2006
Bill is still a young lion, which is evident from his scruffy mane
-- males don't mature and get their full mane until age 4 or 5.
Bill is very interested in people because he was hand-reared as
a cub at the Knoxville Zoo. His favorite resting spot is on
the ledge of the second viewing window. |
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Ina
Female
Born October 23, 2006
Ina often sits on the crest of the hill where she can take in the
view. Sometimes it can be hard to see her in the tall grass.
Ina occasionally visits the main viewing window, but only when crowds
are small. |
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