Young male lion (Panthera leo) standing side-on in warm afernoon light, Moremi area, Botswana

Did You Know? Female lions do most of the hunting for the pride because the males, with their prominent manes and larger size, are more conspicuous and more easily spotted by potential prey. On group hunts, males will usually trail behind without taking part.

However, when a prey is brought down, they soon arrive and force their way to the front so they can eat first.

Once on a kill, the males will gorge themselves, eating on average about 18kg (about 40lb) of meat in one session, but can stuff themselves with nearly double that amount. Only once they’re done, is it the turn of the females to eat, with the cubs getting the leftovers.

Because adult male lions have manes, the lion is the only member of the cat family in which adult males and females can be distinguished from each other by appearance.

For more information and facts about lions, including their social structure, breeding habits, and hunting techniques, see Lion Facts and Information.

Baby Lion Walking Towards Camera, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Did You Know?
When it is time to give birth, a lioness leaves the pride and has her cubs in thick cover where they remain hidden for one to two months before being introduced to the rest of the pride.

At birth baby lions weigh about 1kg (2.2lbs) and are completely helpless. Their eyes open after about 10 days and they can walk at 10 to 15 days and run at 25 to 30 days.

Cubs are weaned at seven to nine months, but are unable to fend for themselves before they’re 16 months old, although they start to eat meat at about three months. Cubs stay with their mothers for about two years, at which stage they’re old enough to join the pride on hunting excursions.

See Baby Lion Pictures for a collection of cute lion cub photos together with information about how the youngsters interact with other members of the lion pride.