South Dakota Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife

Lions are the second largest big cat species in the world (behind tigers).

The average male lion weighs around 400lbs or 180kg while the average female lion weighs around 300lbs or 130kg.

The heaviest lion on record weighed an amazing 826lb or 375kg.

Lions can reach speeds of up to 50mph or 81kph but only in short bursts because of a lack of stamina.

The roar of a lion can be heard 5 miles away.

Most lions found in the wild live in southern and eastern Africa.

Lions are very social compared to other cat species, often living in prides that feature females, offspring and a few adult males.

Male lions are beautiful manes. Darker-maned males are more attractive to female lions (lionesses).

Lionesses are better hunters than males and do most of the hunting for the pride.

Lions are the national animal of Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Ethiopia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Singapore.

In the wild, lions live 12 years on average.

Lions rest for around 20 hours a day.

When lions breed with tigers the resulting hybrids are known as ligers and tigons. There are also lion and leopard hybrids known as leopons and lion and jaguar hybrids known as jaglions.