10 Amazing Lion Facts to Prepare for Your African Safari

Are you visiting the beautiful continent of Africa any time soon?

If you are, then one of the things you should consider is the African safari. The tour often takes people out of their comfort zones and introduces them to the wild plains of Africa. There, they’ll be able to appreciate and experience the wildlife at their most untamed.

Among the wildlife there, the most eye-catching ones will be the majestic lions and lionesses. When better to brush up on lion facts than when you’re planning your visit to Africa? If you’re lucky enough, your tour guide will be able to direct your attention to a pride of lions which will either be lazing about or on the hunt for their next meal.

Use these facts about lions to wow your friends while watching these majestic beasts in action. Read on to learn 10 amazing facts.

1. Lions Are the Most Social Species of Cats

Among the 36 species of wild cats in the world, lions are the most social of them. They’re the only species of cat to form groups of more than 4 cats. Such groups can have around 25 cats at a time.

Often, a pride this big can have up to 4 males while the remaining cats are females. Females often remain in the same pride they’re born for the rest of their lives. Males, on the other hand, often leave their pride if they’re not the dominant male in the group.

2. A Pride Has Tasks Assigned to Each Cat Based on Their Gender

In a pride, each cat knows what their task is the moment they’re born. Females end up becoming the hunters of the group. They’ll set out to hunt, stalk, and kill their prey for the entire pride to eat.

Males have a less demanding task by comparison. They defend the pride’s territory by patrolling their region and intimidating and often attacking anyone who may be a threat to them. Though they end up laying around most days.

Despite this though, the males always get to eat first when a hunt is successful. The reason for this is because males need to keep their strength up should another predatory species attempt to invade the pride’s territory. For example, when hyenas invade pride territory and the males need to fight them off.

3. Lions Are Among the Largest Cats in the World

One of the most interesting lion facts is that they’re close to being the largest cat in the world. An adult male can measure as high as 1.2 meters at the shoulder and grow up to 2.5 meters long, excluding the tail.

As big as they are though, they’re 2nd only to tigers. Tigers have the same height as lions do but they can grow longer, up to 3.9 meters. Tigers are also heavier, weighing 310 kg at most while lions only weigh up to 190 kg on average.

4. Lions Have a Diverse Habitat

Where do lions live, you ask?

Because of how they’re portrayed in popular media, most people think lions only live in the plains of Africa. In truth, lions can adapt to different habitats to survive. You can find a pride of lions in woodlands, along desert waterways, and even in grassy plains.

Depending on where you find them, they may have a different color of fur.

5. A Lion’s Iris Has a Different Shape Compared to Most Cats

When you look at your house cat, you may notice their pupils have a slit shape if the room is too bright. This is a common trait people associate with cats as a way to control their light intake and to help them see better at night. When it comes to lions, they have a rounded shape no matter what.

This is to help them focus on the prey they’re stalking while laying down on shrubbery. This is true among big cat species.

6. Any Animal Can Be in a Lion’s Diet

Have you ever thought to yourself “What do lions eat?” and draw a blank? Obviously, they eat meat but which animals often find themselves on a lion’s menu? If so, then you’ll now know the answer to that question.

Lions eat pretty much anything they can sink their teeth in. No animal is safe when a lion is hungry.

Often, they settle for zebras and wildebeests when they’re around. If a herd isn’t around though, lionesses sometimes go for bigger prey like elephants or hippos.

7. Lions Spend Most of the Day Hunting

If you do come across a bunch of lionesses during your tour, you will likely find them on the prowl. This often happens during the colder months like April where lionesses will take advantage of the colder days as it will give them less of a chance of overheating while chasing after prey.

You may want to schedule your trip during the colder months if you want to see them in action. This will give you a front-row seat to how they hunt, allowing you to bear witness to the real reason for going on an African safari.

8. Lions Don’t Have a Specific Mating Season

Lionesses often adjust their mating time to fit that of the dominant male’s patterns. When this happens, a lion and lioness would mate every 30 minutes or so. Each mating session would last for around half a minute or so.

This often goes on for the next 3 days until the male fertilizes all the females available in the pride.

9. Lions Have Impressive Athletic Capabilities

Lions don’t store much fat in their bodies, so it’s a given that most of their mass comes from pure muscle which leads many to believe they’re capable of feats of athleticism. Most people don’t know the extent of their capabilities.

Because of their body structure, lions can leap as far as 11 meters with enough momentum. This shouldn’t pose a problem as they can reach speeds of 80kph while chasing their prey.

10. A Lion’s Roar Is the Loudest of Any Big Cat

Lions get their title “King of the Cats” because of the sheer volume and strength of their roar. When a lion is alone and is looking for a way back to the pride, it will let out the loudest roar any cat species can make. The roar is so loud that you’ll be able to hear it from 8km away.

They roar as a way of marking their territory or as a way to intimidate other predators. This is also a form of communication among males and females. Lionesses can distinguish the roars of the males in their pride from that of strangers.

Check Out These Lion Facts Now

Read up on these lion facts and impress your group during your African safari.

Now, what are you waiting for? Book your ticket and go on a safari tour today!

Looking for a safari to join? If you are, don’t hesitate to contact us here! We can provide a safe and immersive tour to help you get the full African safari experience.