Leo is a large predatory cat, listed in the Red Book. The habitat of these animals was once more than extensive, but now they can be found only in some parts of Africa and in just one state of India.
King of the jungle
The lion is one of the largest representatives of the feline family. An impressive lush mane, a ferocious roar, a muscular huge body, a death grip - all this very well characterizes the powerful and strong king of the jungle. Lions are popularly called the kings of the jungle. Hence the misconception that these animals live in tropical thickets was born.
The weight of an adult male lion can reach 250 kg, and that of a female - 150 kg. The body length of the animal is from 2.3 m to 3.0 m.
Lions habitat
In fact, lions today can be found only in two places around the world - in the African savannah, as well as in India. They are settled mostly in groups, which scientists call prides. These groups number about 20 individuals, of which, as a rule, no more than 4 males.
In the Middle Ages, the habitat of lions was much more extensive - the entire territory of Africa, excluding the tropics and the desert, the Middle East, Iran, part of Europe, even the southern outskirts of Russia, India. But the hunt for lion skins, wars, destroyed the usual habitat of the predator. Lions have lost most of their range. In 1944, the last lion in Europe was found in Iran - he was dead.
Now in Africa, lions occupy an area south of the famous Sahara Desert. Here, in unlimited conditions of existence, animals feel more than comfortable, which contributes to their reproduction. Despite this, the lion population is rapidly decreasing every year.
The hottest continent of the planet - Africa - is home to about 80% of all lions in the world.
In India, the kings of the jungle occupy an area of 1,400 square kilometers in the West of the country. They settled in a region called the Gir Forest. Unfortunately, this population of representatives of the feline family is quite small - about 360 individuals. Sad statistics forced the government of the country to protect the lions and do everything to prevent the decline in the population of wild cats. And this played a positive role: according to the latest data, the number of the group began to grow slowly.
Savannah is considered a favorite place where lions prefer to live, but they often settle in areas with an abundance of shrubs, in forests. The presence of a special type of acacias in the settlement area is important for lions. It is this plant that protects flocks from the scorching sun, and also saves from heat and sunstroke. Lions do not live in dense humid forests and waterless deserts.
