LION cat (Panthera leo)

Lions are now only found in Africa and NW India. The coat is tawny, the young having darker spot markings that usually disappear in the adult. The male has a heavy mane and a tuft at the end of the tail. Head and body measure about 6ft/2 m, plus 3ft/1m of tail, the lioness being slightly smaller.

Lions produce litters of two to six cubs, and often live in prides of several adult males and females with several young. Capable of short bursts of speed, they skillfully collaborate in stalking herbivorous animals. Old lions whose teeth and strength are failing may resort to eating humans. "Mountain lion" is a name for the puma.

In zoos, a liger is the off-spring of a male lion and a female tiger; a tigon of a male tiger and female lion.