Lions are the most social of the cat family. They live in groups called prides, and are the only member of the cat family to do so. The pride usually has 1 to 3 males and 5 or more related females with their cubs. Large prides tend to be made up of related animals. Prides have a distinct territory unless poor environment conditions make food scarce. The dominant male or males defend the territory against nomadic lions and other prides, patrolling the area and marking it with scent.

The males and females have distinct roles. Females tend to do all the hunting while the male spends his time protecting the pride from outsiders. Lions are carnivores and they hunt as a group. This can be an advantage as they can capture large animals, but once the prey has been killed there can be squabbling and fighting over the catch and the one beast has to be shared between the entire pride. When the males leave the pride at age 3, they usually form an all-male pride which is highly social, hunting and scavenging together. These males live and work together and tend to be unrelated.

Lions are mostly nocturnal animals, and surprisingly the lion is also a capable swimmer. Lions appear to get a lot of pleasure from each other¿s company and communal living, and are very affectionate and playful with each other.

Diet

When hunting as a group, the female lions chase the prey towards the males waiting in an ambush. The weight of the heavier males is an asset in bringing down the prey. When the females hunt alone, which is usually the case, they fan out and surround the prey, slowly stalking it before ambushing it suddenly. If the attack fails, the prey is rarely pursued for any distance. After a successful kill, males eat first, followed by the lionesses and finally the cubs eat whatever is left over.

Lions feed on zebras, buffalos, antelopes, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests, snakes and also carrion. Their wide range of prey sometimes extends to young elephants, hippos, and rhinos. In difficult times they will even go for small prey, like porcupine, with disastrous consequences for both. Although lions drink regularly when water is readily available, they are capable of getting the necessary moisture from their prey and even from plants. Lions usually sleep after feasting.

Adaptations

The lions sandy, brown grass colouring is a camouflage when the animal is hunting for prey. The male¿s mane gives the lion the appearance of a larger animal and protects the throat in an attack by another animal. Also in case of attack, its skin is flexible and can be pulled without splitting. The lion¿s teeth are adapted for a hunting and carnivorous lifestyle as they are sharp for piercing and cutting flesh. Its eyes are set for stereoscopic vision for good distance judgement.