Ask anybody what kind of animal on our planet has the proud title of king of animals, and each of them will answer that it is a lion. It is this big cat of the panther family who holds such a high office. But why is a lion the king of animals? The lion is a predatory representative of the family of cats, one of the smartest, fastest and largest animals. In this article, we will tell you why the lion is the king of animals.
The lion is the king of the beasts
Of all the variety of animals available on Earth, the lion is called the king of animals. Everyone must have wondered why a lion is the king of animals. Even though the lion is not one of the largest animals on the planet, it is he who has such a high rank in the animal world. To begin with, let's get to know the lions better.
The lion is a large predator from the Cat family
The lion is a large predatory cat, which is one of the representatives of the panther family and belongs to the family of cats. The adult lion weighs about 250 kg, reaches a body length of 2.5 meters, with a height of about 120 cm in the withers and a tail length of about 1 meter. Males are larger than females. The lion looks quite peculiar. In these large cats, the difference between males and females is very pronounced.
Why is the lion the king of animals?
Male cats not only outnumber female cats in size, they also have a luxurious mane that covers the shoulders, back, and chest, with the rest of the lion's hair short. The color of the lions is different and varies depending on the species or subspecies. Most often, wool is yellow-grey in various shades. The maneuver usually has the same color as the skin, but it is darker or even blacker. As lions get older, the mane gets darker. Females do not have this skin, which allows for better disguise and hunting. The tip of the tail on both floors is decorated with a brush made of a bunch of long hair.
Lion and lioness look different
Many people wonder why the lion is the king of the beasts and not the tiger. The tiger is bigger than a lion, but he is not the owner of this honorary title. Although the tiger is slightly larger than a lion, it is the lion that is at the top of the food chain in the whole animal world. Therefore, the lion is the king of animals, but the tiger is not. Both of these big cats are in eternal rivalry, often in opposition to each other and compared to each other. Lions dominate among the other cats.
Why is the lion the king of the beasts and not the tiger?
The lion is the king of the beasts, because he is one of the most social predators with a strong hierarchy, and such a hierarchy can only compete with wolves. Most often lions live in groups. Such a group of lions is called a Pride and consists of one or more males, 5-6 females and their calves.
Lion Pride
The territory of the march is strictly guarded by males against unauthorized visitors. There are also wandering lions who live alone or in pairs. Such lions do not have their territory and lead a nomadic way of life. Males who have left their home Pride are the most frequent traveling lions. These males have a chance to create their group.
The lion is the king of animals because he is on top of the food chain
Today, lions live in savannahs in Africa and India. Lions are strong animals that hunt in groups and pursue the chosen victim. The lion has powerful paws, strong jaws, and big fangs. In Africa, the prey of the lion is zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, and warthogs, while in India it is hunting wild boars, some deer, and nilgau species.
Lions live in savannahs in Africa and India
Hunting other animals depends on their availability. Since lions hunt in groups, this allows them to cope with many large animals. Despite this possibility, lions usually do not risk attacking adult elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and hippos to avoid injuries. The only predator other than a man who poses a threat to an adult lion is the Nile crocodile.
A lion on a hunt
Curiously, lionesses hunt better than males. After all, they are faster, more flexible and smaller. It is harder for males to hunt because of the mane, which does not always allow them to go unnoticed and often causes overheating. Females hunt very skillfully and in a coordinated manner, which almost always ensures their successful hunting.
Lions hunt better than males
About 10 thousand years ago, lions were the most common mammals on Earth after humans. Even though the number of lions has decreased significantly since then, they are still one of the most dangerous animals today. By their predatory nature, almost all major cat species are dangerous to humans. Tigers, cougars, leopards, and others are among them.
Leo, the king of animals, is a dangerous animal
Today, lions are among the most vulnerable species due to a significant decrease in their population. Over the past few decades, the number of lions in Africa has declined by 30-50%. Most vulnerable populations are those outside protected areas and protected areas