LION, since the earliest times, one of the best-known animals. In prehistoric times the modern lion (Felis leo) was distributed over the greater part of Europe and within the historic period it inhabited all Africa, southern Asia, and, very possibly, Greece. At the present day it is found in most parts of Africa, in Meso potamia, and in Gujarat in north-west India. The American "mountain lion" is the puma, F. concolor.
Lions have been divided into local races, depending upon the colour of the fur and the condition of the mane. They differ from the other large Felidae (except the puma, q.v.) in the uniform coloration of the adult and in the possession by the male of a mane on the head, neck and shoulders. There is also a tuft of hair on the tail. The usual colour is yellowish-brown. In size, the lion is only equalled or excelled among existing Felidae by the tiger; it may measure r o ft. from nose to tip of tail; the lioness is about a foot less. The internal structure hardly differs from that of the other Felidae (see CARNIVORA). The voice is a loud and characteristic roar.
Lions live chiefly in sandy plains and rocky places, where there are thorn-thickets ; and in the tall grasses and reeds that grow beside streams. They are in the main nocturnal and catch their
prey bounding from an ambush or by a careful stalk. Over a short distance they can gallop very rapidly. Their principal food consists of the larger herbivores—buffaloes, antelopes, zebras and giraffes, but they are not above eating carrion. In cultivated districts they frequently take sheep and cattle, and occasionally human beings. Confirmed man-eaters are, however, usually old animals that have not sufficient activity to kill wild creatures. Lions have been known to jump considerable obstacles carrying a goat or other prey in their mouths. Their strength is phenom enal. Very conflicting reports are given as to their courage ; the truth seems to be that not only do individual lions differ in this respect, but that the behaviour of a lion depends upon his con dition, a hungry, ill-fed animal being bolder than a full-fed speci men. But unless hungry or molested, the lion, like all large animals, thinks discretion the better part of valour. Both parents display the greatest solicitude in training their young.
See Martin Johnson, Lion (1929) ; Cherry Kearton, In the Land of the Lion (1929).