Adult lions are tan in color and have furry tufts at the end of their tails. Males have long fur around their head and neck which is called a mane. Males are usually larger than females.
Baby lions are called cubs. These cats have up to 6 babies in a litter. Lions live in large social groups called “Prides”. They share territory and hunt together which helps with survival. Lions roar to locate other pride members and to signal strange male lions to stay away. The roar can be heard by other lions nearly 6 miles away.
Lions are meat eaters. Meat eaters are also called carnivores. Females also called lionesses do most of the hunting. Their diet consists of antelope, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, impalas, wild pigs and other hoofed animals.
Lions are from Africa. They live in woodlands and tall grassy areas. They can survive in many different areas but don’t live in deserts and rainforests. They are able to jump into trees but tend to be ground dwellers.
Lions are shrinking in numbers for several reasons. Hunting and Habitat loss due to growing human populations are the main reasons for their decline.
THIRD GRADE:
1. In an effort to survive lions live in large social groups, share territory and hunt together. What are these social groups called?
a. Families
b. Packs
c. Herds
d. Prides
2. What have humans done to contribute to the decline of the lion population?
