A lion roaring

Lion (Panthera Leo)

Africa’s 'king of the jungle', the lion, is both awe-inspiring and terrifying due to its strength, speed and reputation. Approximately 850 to 900 lions live within the Masai Mara National Reserve and surrounding conservancies. The Mara-ecosystem is one of the world's premier locations to spot this mighty beast in the wild. Lions are one of the most sociable big cat predators and they generally live in prides of fifteen to twenty lions. A pride can consist of up to three males, several adult female lions (of which one is the dominant female) and several sub-adults and cubs. Male lions are known to lay claim and defend large pieces of land ranging from 30 – 400 square kilometres. The females of this species are known to be the lion pride hunters, male lions only occasionally assist during a hunt. They will generally be called in to take down larger animals. Their favorite meals consist of zebra and wildebeest, but when these are out of season (beyond the great migration season) they also enjoy preying on warthogs and buffalo. Lions are known to sleep approximately twenty hours a day.