Wild Windows · African Lion
Panthera leo
Africa's largest cat and the only big cat that lives in social groups. Lion populations have declined by an estimated 43% over the past two decades, with strongholds remaining in Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa.
Natural History
Habitat
Savanna, grassland, and open woodland across sub-Saharan Africa, with a small isolated population in India's Gir Forest.
Diet
Carnivore: wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and other large herbivores. Females do most of the hunting; males defend territory.
Lifespan
About 14 years in the wild for females; males rarely exceed 10 due to fights over pride takeovers.
Behavior
Live in prides typically of 10 to 15 individuals — related females, their cubs, and a coalition of males. Roars can be heard up to 8 km away.
Classroom Facts
Live Cameras
Each listing is hand-verified for source, permission status, and viewing quality.
Kenyan savanna, 48,000 acres of it.
A North American glimpse of an iconic African predator.
Use This With
Printable, photocopy-friendly, designed by educators. Pair them with any cam featuring this species.
Research-style ethogram for grades 6–12. Two pages: definitions of 12 mammal behaviors, plus a 30-minute one-zero observation log students fill in during a cam watch. Compatible with our giant panda, African elephant, sea otter, African lion, polar bear, mountain gorilla, and red panda pages.
