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Lion (Panthera leo)
Lions have a tawny coat, creamy underbellies and tufted tails. Males have manes and are powerfully. They have five digits on the front feet and four digits on the back feet, with sharp claws that are fully retractable. Lions are the largest carnivore in Namibia. Adult male lions weigh between 160 -240 kg and adult females 100 to170 kg.
Spoor The tracks of male lions, presented here, are larger than those of females. The front foot is much wider than the back foot. Average measurements (mm) for males are presented (width x height). |
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Front
foot - 129 x 138mm |
Back
foot - 118x 137mm |
Biology
The lion is the only truly social member of
the cat family, living in prides numbering from 4 -30 animals.
The pride sizes and home ranges depend on the availability
of food. When prey is abundant prides tend to be larger and
home ranges smaller. Up to four adult males live with a pride.
Sub-adult males disperse from their natal pride to become
nomadic or form small coalitions. Lions are most active at
night when most of the kills are made. During the day they
rest in the shade. After a gestation period of 104 - 110 days,
litters of 1-6 cubs are born in a secluded spot such as thickets
or long grass. The cubs are hidden at first and join the pride
after 3-6 weeks. Lactating lionesses will allow other cubs
in the pride to suckle. Mortality of lion cubs is high at
80% and is mostly due to starvation. Independence is reached
at 3 to 4 years old. Male lions can live for 10 to 12 years
and females from 12 to 16 years. Mortality of adults is mostly
human related through poisoning, trapping and shooting. Starvation
resulting from injury is another factor. Oestrus is often
synchronised resulting in synchronised births. Females share
the raising of the cubs, resulting in improved cub survival
during synchronised births.
Distribution
In Namibia lions are restricted to Etosha National
Park, Kaudom Game Reserve, parts of the Tsumkwe Districts,
the Kunene Region, and the Caprivi Region.
Predation
Lions feed on a wide range of animals. Their principle prey
depend on what is available, falling generally within a range
of species that weigh between 50 and 300 kg. In most African
conservation areas lions feed predominantly on wildebeest,
zebra and buffalo. In the Kaudom Game Reserve and Tsumkwe
District lions take mainly kudu, gemsbok, giraffe and wildebeest.
In contrast, Etosha lions prey mostly on springbok and smaller
animals (73% of all kills).
Conflict/Enemies
Man is the lion’s only significant enemy. Lions that
raid domestic livestock in communal and commercial farmland
areas are often shot, poisoned or caught in gin traps.
Multimedia (Download QuickTime to view video clips)
Male lions near Hobatere Lodge in 2007 |
Pride male with 3 cubs near Hobatere Lodge in 2007 |
Sound file |
lion_male.mov 00'16
/ 964Kb |
lion_cubs.mov 00'14
/ 896Kb |
Roar of an adult male and female (in distance), recorded in the Barab River on 12 May 2006.
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