Wild Animals Charm Page

LIONS

Lions live in large groups called "prides". A pride's territory can be 15 to 400 square miles in area. Lionesses are better hunters than males and do most of the hunting for a pride. Renowned for its majesty and nicknamed "the king of the jungle," the lion possesses both beauty and strength. Lions vary in colour but mostly are light yellow-brown coats. Mature male lions have thick brown or black manes that encircle their necks and protect them while fighting. Lions are the only cats with tufts at the end of their tails. They have massive shoulders, long sharp claws, and short powerful jaws. Lions have nine distinct vocalizations, including roars and puffing. Their roar can be heard by humans over five miles away. Much of lions' hunting is done at night and in the very early dawn. Both males and females mark their territories by roaring and marking it with urine. Lions spend 16-20 hours of the day sleeping or resting and enjoy lots of touching, head rubbing, licking and purring by other lions.

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