The Lion's Body
Most full-grown males are 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3 m) long, including a 3-foot (90-cm) tail, and weigh 400 to 500 pounds (180 to 225 kg). Lionesses are generally smaller.
The lion has a strong, muscular body with exceptionally powerful forequarters. It is tawny-yellow to brownish-gray in color with buff underparts. The Asiatic lion has a prominent fold of skin along the abdomen. The lion's tail is tufted with black fur, and within the tuft is a hard, sharp spine, the purpose of which is not known. Each toe has a strong, curved, retractable claw up to three inches (7.5 cm) long. In the mighty jaws, which can open to 12 inches (30 cm) wide, are teeth that can crush a bull's spine at a bite.
The adult male usually develops a brown to black mane about its neck. The mane is often a luxuriant growth in captive lions, but is scant and scraggly in wild ones that have to push through thorny brush.
A lion and a pet cat have a lot in common. Both have similar shapes. They have lean bodies and long tails. Both have long, pointed canines and sharp, retractable claws. Both species use their claws to climb, to hold, to fight, and to kill. And both a lion and a pet cat walk on their toes—not on the soles of their feet.
Lions spend much of their time on the ground. But they are good climbers, too—just as pet cats are. Both species can climb trees to chase prey. Also, both lions and pet cats use body language and scents to communicate. They also use calls. Lions roar. Pet cats meow. And just like pet cats, lions take catnaps!
But, in spite of all these similarities, there is one big difference. A lion is about 30 times larger than the average pet cat. Imagine having a cat that big around the house!
Lions are often called kings of the animal world, and it is easy to see why. Lions are among the largest of the wild cats. Most male lions weigh from 350 to 400 pounds (160 to 180 kilograms), but some weigh up to 560 pounds (250 kilograms). Including their tails, full-grown male lions are usually about 9 feet (2.7 meters) in length. They stand an average of 4 feet tall (1.2 meters) at the shoulder. Lionesses, or female lions, are slightly smaller.
But their huge size does not slow these animals down. While chasing prey, lions can reach speeds up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour.
A male lion has one of the largest heads of all the wild cats. Around his head and neck is a mane of thick, long hair. This mane gives the male lion a kingly look. He is the only wild cat with a mane.
A mane makes an adult male lion look bigger than he really is. It is made up of long, thick fur. It may be yellow, brown, or black in color. But while a mane is striking, it’s more than just for show.
The bigger mane a male lion has, the more impressive he looks to other males. And the more impressive he looks, the more likely he will become one of the leaders of a group of lions.
A majestic mane also helps a male avoid fights with other males. This is because males with less impressive manes are not likely to fight lions with longer manes. But if a male lion does get into a fight, the thick mane comes in handy. It protects a male lion’s neck.
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