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lion
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A male lion male lion lion A pride of African lions rests together on a grassy mound in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, with open savanna and trees in the background. A group of lions in tall dry grass, with one lioness chasing a running warthog in the foreground. A lioness lies in tall grass with two cubs beside her in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, with grassy plains and distant hills in the background. A lioness stands alert on a grassy mound surrounded by eight lion cubs, with another adult lion resting nearby in Masai Mara, Kenya. Illustration of a cave lion (Panthera leo spelaea), an extinct large cat, shown in profile walking on all fours with a muscular build, light brown fur, and a short mane. A scale bar in the corner indicates size. Male lion (Panthera leo) with a full mane sits in tall golden grass on the savannah in Namibia, South Africa.
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A male lion
lion summary
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Lion (panthera leo)
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A male lion
A male lion The distinguishing feature of a male lion (Panthera leo) is its mane, which makes the animal look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates.

lion

mammal
Also known as: Panthera leo
Written by
Roland W. Kays
Curator of Mammals, New York State Museum, Albany.
Roland W. Kays
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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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). The proverbial “king of beasts,” the lion has been one of the best-known wild animals since earliest times. Lions are most active at night and live in a variety of habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland. Historically, they ranged across...

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