Lion

Panthera leo

The lion is the only big cat that lives permanently in social family groups known as prides. Females cooperate in rearing their cubs and hunting prey such as zebras and antelopes, while males mainly defend the pride and its territory. Their powerful roars can be heard from up to eight kilometres away and are used to mark territory and warn off rival lions.

Lions spend up to 20 hours a day resting and are most active around dawn and dusk. When young males reach sexual maturity, they must leave their pride and initially roam as nomads, often together with other males.