Asiatic Lion

Habitat

Forest with dense vegetation and grasslands.

Wild Diet

Antelope, small mammals and occasionally domestic livestock.

Behaviour

 The Asiatic lion is smaller than the African and has a distinctive fold of skin on the belly. Also, the Asiatic male's mane is smaller and lighter in colour. Lions spend most of their time in a social group called the 'pride', which is made up of adult females, their offspring and adult males. Both sexes defend their territory by roaring, urine marking and patrolling.

Breeding

2 - 4 cubs are born after a gestation of 112 days (3.5 months).

Threats

The main threats are hunting and habitat destruction.

Conservation

Less than 300 Asiatic lions survive in the wild in the Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary (India). There are conservation breeding programmes in zoos including a European Endangered species Programme (EEP).