African lions (Panthera leo) are iconic carnivores known for their majestic appearance and social behaviour. Found across sub-Saharan Africa, these apex predators inhabit a variety of habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and woodlands.

 

With their distinctive tawny coats and impressive manes (in males), lions are highly adaptable hunters, preying primarily on large herbivores such as zebras, wildebeests, and buffalo.

 

Lions are renowned for their social structure, living in groups known as prides, typically consisting of related females and their offspring, along with a few resident males. Pride members engage in cooperative hunting, territorial defence, and communal care of young.

 

While once widespread, African lions face threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching, leading to population declines in some regions. Conservation efforts, including protected areas and community-based initiatives, aim to safeguard these iconic big cats and their habitats for future generations.