Lion

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Lions (Panthera leo) , the big cats of Africa (there is a very small Asian lion population in India) are commonly misnamed the King of the Jungle.

Actually, grasslands and surrounding forests are their preferred habitats.

Lions are a unique species of cat. Unlike many wild cat species, lions live and hunt in social groups called prides.

Researchers estimate that wild lion populations have decreased substantially over the past couple of decades. There may be around twenty thousand lions found primarily in four African states, South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, and Kenya.

The IUCN lists the West African population as endangered.

© 2004 Patricia A. Michaels.