Facts included on the Poster Tag:

Lions (Panthera leo) are the only cats that live in permanent groups - family groups called prides, which usually include females, their young, and up to three adult males.  Males defend the territory, and females do most of the hunting.  Newborn cubs are covered with spots and are helpless at first - they stay hidden in the grass for their first few weeks of life.  After a few days their eyes open and after a few months they begin eating meat.  When there is an abundance of food, lions stuff themselves and share with the cubs.  When there is little food during the dry season, lions may steal kills from other animals and let the cubs starve.  The males' defense abilities are enhanced by their manes - tufts of long, thick hair covering the head, neck, and chest.  The larger the mane, the more intimidating the lion looks to an aggressor.  Lion cubs don't actually hunt with the pride until they are about one year old.  Until then, they learn stalk and chase skills through play with other cubs in the pride.  Females have no manes, so they can stalk their victim more discreetly.  At night the hunting begins, and two or more females may work together to rush their prey.  Female cubs usually stay with their pride, but male cubs usually leave the pride at about three years of age.  Brothers may roam together and eventually take over prides from other males.

Return to the ordering page