African Lion

• Range: Africa, south of the Sahara
  
• Habitat: Open savannah
  
• Height: Males, 4 feet; females, 3 ½ feet
  
• Length: Males, 5 ½ feet to 8+ feet; females, 4 ½ feet to 5 1/2 feet; tail is 27 to 41 inches long.
  
• Weight: Males, 330 to 550 pounds; females, 265 to 400 pounds
  
• Diet: Lions prey on various herbivorous animals, from small antelopes and impala, to young hippopotamus and elephant, zebra, hartebeest, wildebeest, and also crocodiles and snakes. Adult giraffe and buffalo may be killed when the lions attack in a group.
  
• Behavior: Very sociable and are rarely seen alone. Lions live together in family groups called prides with one or several adult males, females and a majority of sub-adults or young. Groups numbering up to 30 are sometimes seen. Although they hunt primarily at night, they are more active during the day than any other cat. They spend the heat of the day sleeping under trees and bushes and rarely climb trees, except when young. They have a reputation of being naturally lazy.
  
• Location: African lions can be found in the Lion Exhibit in Africa. The Zoo currently houses three male and three female lions.