Photo: Asian lion resting

Only 200 or so Asian lions exist in the wild. A former royal reserve, India's Gir Forest, is the last home of this lion subspecies.

Photograph by Mattias Klum

Map

Map: Asian lion range

Asian Lion Range

Fast Facts

Type:
Mammal
Diet:
Carnivore
Average life span in the wild:
16 to 18 years
Weight:
300 to 500 lbs (120 to 226 kg)
Group name:
Pride
Protection status:
Endangered
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
Illustration: Asian lion compared with adult man

Nearly all wild lions live in sub-Saharan Africa, but one small population of Asian lions exists in India's Gir Forest. Asian lions and African lions are subspecies of the same species.

Asian lions once prowled from the Middle East to India. Now, only 200 to 260 of these magnificent animals survive in the wild. The Gir Forest's dry teak woods were once a royal hunting ground. Today they are a reserve where the endangered Asian lions are heavily protected. An additional 200 Asian lions live in zoos.

Lions are the only cats that live in groups, called prides. Prides are family units that may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a pride's lionesses are related and female cubs typically stay with the group as they age. Young males eventually leave and may establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male.

Only male lions boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males defend the pride's territory. They mark the area with urine, roar menacingly to warn intruders, and chase off animals that encroach on their turf.

Female lions are the pride's primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon large mammals.

After the hunt, the group effort often degenerates to squabbling over the sharing of the kill, with cubs at the bottom of the pecking order. Young lions do not help the pride hunt until they are about a year old. Lions will hunt alone if the opportunity presents itself, and they also steal kills from hyenas or wild dogs.

Big Cats Features

  • Photo: Mother tiger and cub

    NG and Panthera Team Up

    Panthera is the world's largest organization dedicated entirely to wild cat conservation and will serve as a scientific and strategic collaborator for the Big Cats Initiative.

  • Photo: A pride of lions in the Serengeti

    Photos: Life on the Serengeti

    After 15 years, a dream to photograph lions in the Serengeti becomes reality.

  • Image: Cheetah

    Cause an Uproar

    Big cats are quickly disappearing. Now is the time to act. Cause an uproar to save big cats today.

  • Photo: Kitten

    Little Kitties For Big Cats

    For just $5, you can help National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative save lions, tigers, cheetahs, and other big cats. Upload a photo of your kitty to show your support!

Learn More About Big Cats »

Shop National Geographic

SHOP NOW »

Cause an Uproar

Newsletters

Trace Your Family Tree