Lion and lioness. The American lion (Panthera atrox (/ ˈpænθərə ˈætrɒks /), with the species name meaning "savage" or "cruel", also called the North American lion) is an extinct pantherine cat native to North America during the Late Pleistocene from around 129,000 to 12,800 years ago. . It is a species in the cat family ‘Felidae’, which includes Tigers, Leopards and Jaguars. Lions are the only true social cats. One is named Panthera leo melanochaita and lives across South and East Africa. This ferocious apex predator works together with its companions to take down sizeable prey like water buffalo, which are much larger than a single lion. The world's most social felines, lions roam the savannas and grasslands of the African continent, hunting cooperatively and raising cubs in prides. The Lion (Panthera leo) is the second largest cat in the world, following the Tiger. What is the African lion? It is the second-largest living big cat after the tiger. The mane darkens with age, and the thicker and darker a mane is the healthier the cat. What is the African lion? African lions have been admired throughout history for as symbols of courage and strength. The second lion subspecies has the scientific name Panther Leo and lives in West Africa, Central Africa, and Asia. Sep 9, 2025 · See Ten Gorgeous Photographs of Lions and Discover What Makes the Majestic Felines Special A new book of essays and images reveals the history of the big cats and how they’ve become a vulnerable May 30, 2024 · The lion is the second biggest big cat after the tiger. The proverbial “king of beasts,” the lion has been one of the best-known wild animals since earliest times. [2][3][4][5] Genetic evidence suggests that its closest living relative is the lion (Panthera leo), with the American The charismatic lion, with its glorious, overflowing mane is called 'the king of the jungle', and for a good reason. Males are unique among the cat species for their thick mane of brown or black hair encircling their head and neck. Aug 26, 2025 · lion, (Panthera leo), large, powerfully built cat (family Felidae) that is second in size only to the tiger; it is a famous apex predator (meaning without a natural predator or enemy). Lions have strong, compact bodies and powerful forelegs, teeth and jaws for pulling down and killing prey. Unlike most big cats, the lion is social, and lives in family groups called prides. These iconic animals have powerful bodies—in the cat family, they’re second May 27, 2024 · There are two types of lion subspecies. You may see references to African and Asiatic lions. bgcyupb tfz pxbd rule isuei dpf nyhxo avws cltoksj cbsgo