9781422276389

ANIMALS IN THE WILD

L I ON S

L ee S erver

ABOUT THE AUTHOR LEE SERVER is a journalist and filmmaker with a special interest in natural history subjects and endangered species. His previous books include studies of lions, cats, and sharks. In addition, he contributes frequently to nature publications and travels extensively to observe wildlife.

MASON CREST

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Copyright © 2019 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4171-4 ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4163-9 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7638-9

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PHOTO CREDITS Photographer / Page Number Aquila Photographics: Mike Lane 12 (top)

Dembinsky Photo Associates: Claudia Adams 62, Mike Barlow 33, 45, 52 (top), 66, Barbara Gerlach 14 (top), 65, Stan Osolinski 23, 26, 46, 53, Fritz Polking 4, Anup Shah 8-9, 36-37, 58 (bottom), 59 (top), 60, 61, 64 (bottom), 67, 71, Mark J. Thomas 10, 17, 34, 39 (bottom), 54 (top), 64 (top),Martin Withers 13, 35 Jeff Foott: 27 Joe McDonald: 3, 6, 11 (top & bottom), 12 (bottom), 14 (bottom), 19, 20,

21 (bottom), 22, 24-25, 29 (top & bottom), 30 (bottom), 32, 36 (left), 39 (top), 40-41, 44 (top & bottom), 47 (top), 48, 50, 52 (bottom), 54 (bottom), 55, 58 (top), 63, 68-69, 70

Mary Ann McDonald: 16, 18, 28, 31, 49 Nature Photographers Ltd.: P. Craig-Cooper 7 Peter Arnold, Inc.: Guenter Ziesler 47 (bottom), 56-57

Picture Perfect: C. K. Amman 51 (bottom), 59 (bottom), Steve Bentsen 42, Gerald Cubitt 68 (left), Ron Kimball 15 Tom Stack & Associates: Jeff Foott 5, Joe McDonald 21 (top), 38, 51 (top), Mark Newman 43, Spencer Swanger 30 (top)

I N T R O D U C T I O N

The pride is the core of the lion’s family life. Based on blood relationships through the female line, a close-knit, organized group of lions cooperates in hunting prey, defending territory, and raising young.

T he majestic lion is the legendary ruler of the animal kingdom. Revered for its strength and bravery, the lion has been a symbol of supremacy since the beginning of recorded history. The lion gained its ascendancy in a world filled with fierce contenders. It is not the largest of animals nor the strongest or fastest. Compared to other cats, its skills as a hunter are, in fact, flawed, and its plain, tawny coat does not compare to the richly colored and patterned fur of other animals of its kind. Still, to humans, its position remains uncontested. Certainly, there are few people who, having seen a full-grown lion in the wild, would question its superiority. This has much to do with bearing. The lion conveys gran- deur and self-assurance, particularly a mature adult male possessing a magnificent, full mane that appears to confer the same rank and author- ity as a king’s ceremonial headdress. Then there is the undoubted fierceness of the lion in battle as it attacks and destroys its prey. Its victory is followed by a triumphant roar: a low grumble building in intensity and proclaiming territoriality and power throughout the lion’s domain. Equally impressive is the typically catlike aura of intelligence that conveys the sense of a subtly scheming mind at work. For such things a nd more is the lion justly awarded its crown. Because of these attributes, observed by people through the ages, this splendid cat has long represented both human and supernatural power. The lion’s body was used to depict the Egyptian sphinx, which in various representations has the head of a ram, hawk, or human. Usually standing

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for courage and domination, the lion is a symbolic motif in the Bible and also appears in many folktales, including Aesop’s fables. The lion’s designation as the King of Beasts can be traced back to writings from the first century of the Christian era. Lions frequently figured in the heraldic devices and coats of arms of medieval nobility and were elements in the royal family crests of kingdoms such as England, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. Richard I, the 12th-century English king and veteran of the Crusades to the Holy Land was hailed throughout Europe as Richard Coeur de Lion, or Richard the Lion- Hearted, for his bravery in battle. In various parts of Asia, the lion was frequently depicted as a symbol of power and strength—even in China, to which it is not indigenous. Down through the ages the raw and savage power of lions has been exploited in the presen- tation of spectacles such as the wild animal fights in the Roman arena, where their feroc- ity was unleashed on unarmed men and

women for the delight of cheering crowds. In recent times and up to the present, these big cats and others have added a sense of danger to the performances of lion tamers, who are star attractions in circuses around the world. Not content with vicarious thrills, the big game hunters of the recent past sought an almost visceral excitement in confronting such a fierce beast as the lion and becoming its victor. For almost a century, lion hunting on safari conferred status and prestige to those who could afford it and, in an almost magical way, endowed the conquering, gun-bearing hunter with the very attributes of strength and courage that the lion was believed to possess. Yet, for all the inferred symbolism and self- projection by humans, the reality of the lion’s life and behavior is even more intriguing than the mythology it has inspired. Obser- vation and study of this animal reveals its place in the natural order and encourages closer examination of the intricate web of life to which we belong.

Lionesses can be caring mothers, guarding their cubs in infancy, entertaining them with play, and finally, teaching them to hunt and provide for themselves.

As he yawns in the afternoon sun, this male lion, with his thick-maned head and fearsome teeth, shows clearly why he is regarded as the King of Beasts.

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THE NATURE OF LIONS

Lions are members of the cat family, whose original ancestors have been traced back some 12 million years. The various types of cats have actually changed very little in all that time. The proper family name for cats is Feli- dae. Under this heading are four genera, or groupings of cats: Felis, Neofelis, Panthera, and Acinonyx. Both the Acinonyx and Neofe- lis groups contain a single species each: the cheetah and the clouded leopard, respectively. The genus Felis includes all the smaller cats from the fierce American puma, or mountain lion, to the common domestic house cat. The remaining cats all belong to the genus Pan- thera. These include the big cats of legend, the roaring royalty of jungle, forest, and savanna: leopards, snow leopards, jaguars, tigers, and, of course, lions. Despite their very different worlds and ways of living, the various groups of cats remain close cousins in a variety of ways. Unlikely as it may seem, the untamed African lion has much in common with the pampered pussy­ cat curled up in an armchair. People observ- ing lions in the wild are often struck by how frequently the huge and dangerous animals assume the poses and display the personality traits of a pet tabby. Similarly, the house cat, domesticated a mere 5,000 years ago—a frac- tion of the time (50,000 years) that the dog has been tamed—has retained hunting instincts and feral abilities that link it to the regal lion. As for the lion, natural scientists are only now just beginning to understand the capacity for diversity and adaptation of which it is capable.

From Prehistory to the Present It was only in recent times that lions became known as exclusively African animals. As far back as 10,000 years ago, they could be found widely distributed, not only in most of Africa but throughout large portions of Europe, Asia, North America, and northern South America. The earliest human records of lions are pre- served on the walls of caves in southwestern France dating to the latter part of the last ice age. There, etched into the rock, are silhouettes of a European subspecies known to modern sci- ence as the cave lion. Gradually, as the character of European forests changed, lions abandoned the region, and by the time of the Greek Golden Age they could only be found in Europe in the Balkan Peninsula. They were reportedly common in Greece around 500 b . c ., but by 300 b . c . Aris- totle had described them as rare. Four hun- dred years later, in a . d .100, it was recorded that lions had not been seen in the region for some time. However, they continued to exist in Palestine for many more centuries, finally disappearing from that area around the time of the Crusades. The shrinking of the lion’s range is directly related to the kind of habitat it needs to sur- vive. Despite being known as the King of the Jungle, the lion actually prefers areas of sparse

Every part of the lion’s body

contributes to its effectiveness as a predator. Its jaws, teeth, shoulders, and legs can exert overwhelming force, while the large paws are powerful enough to stun and bring down prey.

Following page: The lion’s strong legs enable it to leap and attack

either prey or enemies. This ability is also useful in entering trees, which lions do for a variety of reasons. Though not as agile and skilled as leopards, they are nonetheless quite competent climbers.

In repose, this mature male lion projects the inscrutable nature and sense of authority that have made it a legendary symbol for people throughout history.

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tree growth. Most lions live in grassy plains, savannas, open woodlands, and among thorny scrub trees. Historically, as their habitats have lost these characteristics, either through natu- ral change or human intervention, the lion has departed or been driven out. The lion’s departure from Europe in prehis- toric times was most likely the result of the massive spreading of forests throughout the continent, making the area uninhabitable for these cats. In other parts of the world, the growth of human settlements and agriculture changed the nature of wild plains and grass- lands, gradually driving the lion from its ranges in India, the Middle East, and northern Africa. Today, except for a small population of animals in India’s Gir Forest, the once vast range of the lion has been reduced to Central Africa, chiefly in the game parks and reserves of Kenya and Tanzania. Built to Kill Among the big cats, the lion is second only to the tiger in size. The average male lion’s weight ranges from 350 to 400 pounds (157–180 kilo- grams), though some individuals may be as

Vultures are quick to find a lion’s kill and move in to steal as much of it as they can. Here, a young lion leaps through the air to disperse the flock of thieves.

heavy as 500 pounds (225 kilograms). Females are smaller and can weigh considerably less than males. The normal length of the male is 9 feet (2.7 meters), while the female is usually about 8 feet (2.4 meters) long. The lion’s body completely suits the needs of a predator. When hunting, the great strength of its shoulders and forelegs is employed with full force, as it quickly runs from cover and leaps through the air to secure a stranglehold on the neck of a large animal. At this point, the large, powerful jaws come into play to

Once a creature has been killed, the lion may drag the carcass to a safe, secluded spot where it can feed without the interruptions of scavengers or other predators.

Lions are swift and efficient killers. They either strangle their victims by an attack on the throat or suffocate them by covering the mouth and nostrils.

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Though lions are not as well-known for leaping as many other members of the cat family, they are still capable of springing great distances and great heights. The max- imum leap of a lion has been measured at 40 feet (12.1 meters). This jumping ability also enables them to enter trees. Other cats are quicker, more skillful climbers, but lions can still reach quite lofty perches. They tend to climb more when they are young and agile, and older, heavier lions may not be able to climb at all. A lion’s mouth is equipped with 30 teeth that are large and impressive and of more use in gripping and subduing prey than in con- suming it. The four largest teeth are the razor sharp canines, which are effective killing tools. Then, there are four carnassial teeth, capa- ble of cutting through skin and other tough material such as tendons between muscles and bones. The tongue, which is exceptionally coarse, aids in rasping apart meat and prepar- ing it for digestion. But because its teeth are not designed for chewing food finely, the lion must swallow its meal in chunks.

A young elephant is soon dispatched by the lion’s powerful bite into its neck. The sheer weight and strength of the lion is enough to overcome this animal, even though it is larger than the cat.

either choke or suffocate the victim. If a smaller creature is attacked, the paws are used to knock down and kill the prey. These paws are particularly large and conceal long claws that are used to hook into and hold struggling animals. Because they are retractable and are extended only when needed, the claws are able to maintain their sharpness. Once prey has been killed, the lion uses its claws while feed- ing to remove excessively large chunks of meat from its teeth.

Though capable of short bursts of speed of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour, the lion is not always successful in catching its intended victim. Some animals bolt and dash quickly out of reach. The lion’s lack of stamina makes it incapable of long, hard pursuits.

The lion’s differently shaped teeth are variously designed for holding, killing, and cutting. Because these teeth are of little help in chewing, the lion must swallow its food in large chunks.

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