Lion
Lions are very large cats that live in Africa. If you measure them from nose to tail, they can be as long as a small car! Male lions have a large, fluffy mane around their head, which can be compared to a huge fur coat.
How lions live
African lions live in groups called prides. In each pride there are several lionesses, usually sisters or mothers with daughters. There may also be male lions in the pride. One of the males is usually in charge. He is the first to eat, the first to play with the lionesses, the first to defend his territory. If another lion comes into their territory, the lead male fights with him. Usually there are about 13 lions in a pride, but sometimes there can be as many as 40. Lionesses hunt together and take care of cubs.
How lion cubs grow up
When the lionesses become mums, they go into hiding and give birth to 2-4 blind and very small lion cubs, which are no bigger than small kittens. After 6 weeks the lion cubs start to play near their mum and taste the meat. After 10 weeks they are big enough to return to their group and play with the rest of the lions. Lion mums always take care of their cubs, and may even feed milk to the cubs of other lionesses. But lion dads love their cubs too. They help defend the pride territory and sometimes play with the little lion cubs
All together, lions learn to hunt, play with each other, and take care of their home. This is why lions are often called "kings of the beasts" because they are very strong and caring.
