Thinkabara🦁 Lion Facts for Kids
🐾 Mammals Grades K–5
The lion is a meat-eating mammal that lives in Africa and Asia. Lions are the only big cats that live in family groups, called prides.
🦁 Lion fact file
- Scientific name
- Panthera leo
- Animal group
- Mammal
- Where it lives
- Africa and Asia
- Habitat
- Grasslands and open woodlands (savannas) of Africa, plus one forest in western India
- Diet
- Carnivore (meat-eater) — Zebras, wildebeest, antelope and buffalo
- Size
- About 4½ to 6½ feet long, plus a 2- to 3-foot tail
- Weight
- Females about 265–300 lb; males about 330–500 lb
- Life span
- About 10–14 years in the wild
- Status
- Vulnerable
📏 A male lion weighs about as much as two grown-up men.
⭐ 5 fun facts about lions
- Lions are the only big cats that live in family groups, called prides.
- The lionesses in a pride do most of the hunting, often working as a team.
- A lion’s roar can be heard about 5 miles away.
- Lions rest or sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
- Only male lions grow a mane — the darker the mane, the older and stronger the lion usually is.
Where do lions live?
Wild lions are found in Africa and Asia. Grasslands and open woodlands (savannas) of Africa, plus one forest in western India. If you want to see one in the United States, visit an accredited zoo or aquarium.
What do lions eat?
Lions are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Their menu: zebras, wildebeest, antelope and buffalo.
Is the lion endangered?
Status: Vulnerable. That means its numbers are dropping or at risk, so scientists keep a close eye on it. You can help wild animals by learning about them, saving energy, cutting down on plastic and supporting zoos, aquariums and parks that protect wildlife.
Lion quiz
What is a family group of lions called?
What kind of eater is the lion?
What kind of animal is the lion?
On which continent can you find wild lions?
✏️ Write about the lion
1. The most surprising fact I learned is…
2. If I could ask a lion one question, I would ask…
3. Draw the lion in its habitat:
🖍️ Draw and color
How to draw a lion
Lions coloring pagesLion questions kids ask
Where do lions live?
Lions live in Africa and Asia. Their habitat: Grasslands and open woodlands (savannas) of Africa, plus one forest in western India.
What do lions eat?
Lions are carnivores (meat-eater). They eat: Zebras, wildebeest, antelope and buffalo.
How big is a lion?
About 4½ to 6½ feet long, plus a 2- to 3-foot tail. Weight: Females about 265–300 lb; males about 330–500 lb. A male lion weighs about as much as two grown-up men.
How long do lions live?
About 10–14 years in the wild.
Is the lion endangered?
Its conservation status is: Vulnerable. That means its numbers are dropping or at risk, so scientists keep a close eye on it.
More mammals
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