Interesting Facts

• Lions are the most social cat species and live in groups called prides. Prides are primarily made up of related females and their young with only a few adult males. When a male becomes an adult, he will often leave to form his own pride. However, not all lions live in large social groups. Some are nomadic and live alone, and others live in pairs. Nomads may join a pride, and a lion in a pride may leave their group and become nomadic.
• The females, called lionesses, in a pride generally do the majority of the hunting, and the males defend their pride’s territory. Female lions are faster and have better camouflage than the males. Lionesses work cooperatively in groups to take down large prey such as zebras and wildebeest. Lions will also sometimes steal prey from other predators like hyenas and wild dogs.
• Male lions are easily distinguished from females due to their larger size and thick, shaggy manes. As cubs, lions have spots called rosettes that mostly fade once they reach adulthood.
• A lion’s roar can be as loud as 114 decibels and may be heard up to 5 miles away.

At the Zoo

Southwick’s Zoo is home to two lions; a male named L.J. and his sister, Levanna. L.J. and Levanna were born at our zoo in 2012.

Conservation Status

Threats

Lions are greatly threatened by loss of habitat, disease, and human encroachment. Much of their habitat has been lost to agriculture and commercial development.