Asiatic Lions

Asiatic lions are the subspecies of the lion and only found in India and often referred as Indian lion. In India, Asiatic lion is known for centuries, it is still the symbol of human power and sovereignty. In ancient days it had been a pride to confront with lions and people hunted thousands of lions and and gradually population was squeezed nearly out of existence. The lion has special place in Indian cultural and psyche. The national emblem of India depicts three snarling lions carved in Ashoka Pillar.

Asiatic lions are carnivores and depends on various herbivores species like deer, wild cattle or buffalo, nilgais, antelopes and other animals. They usually live in prides (a large group), which is consist of around 15 members including lionesses, their cubs and few males. The behavioral pattern of lion is unique where lionesses hunt for most of the time and lion defend the pride’s territory. They mark their territory by their typical scent and snarling. Asiatic lions are more solitary and do not live in prides for which they have to hunt for themselves and make it more difficult for them. They usually sneak the prey and hunt it for from hide. They usually suffocate their prey by strangulate their neck and rupture all the blood vessels. The mating is also very different from other big cat species. When a female is interested in mating, she keep round around the male and make him interested but the male yawn and pretend that he is not interested but she would go in circles and crawl and show that she is keen and finally he is interested and the mating session sometimes last for few days.

Size And Physical Characteristics

Asiatic lion is the second largest big cat in the family after Siberian tiger. A mature lion is about a length of 1.7 m to 2.5m. the tail of Indian lion is dark tuft of fur at the end. The male lion is weigh around 150 to 250 kg. The lioness is much smaller than size and weight. The color of male is orange yellow, sometimes dark brown in color. The feature that neatly distinct male from female is the mane of lion, which is usually dark in color. The Asiatic lions are much smaller than African lions but they are more bushy.



Asiatic Lions In India
The habitat of Asiatic lion is reduced to India only. Sasan Gir in Gujarat is the only place where still more than 300 lions are found. The terrain is rugged with low hills and motley of deciduous, teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees. Gir sanctuary is last resort for Asiatic lions, which is a critically endangered species. They can be easily seen in the Gir forest during early morning or during dusk. There is also numerous human settlement inside the forest. They are cattle herders and have near about 20000 head of livestock that also a staple diet for lions. Besides lions, Gir is also known for leopards, reptiles like Indian cobra,saw scaled viper, common krait, and poisonous snakes. It is also a home of different species of antelope, boar , nilgai, Indian fox, porcupine and many other animals. The forest is also rich in birds. The forest is covered by more than 300 species. The forest is chirping with variety of birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Black Headed Cuckoo Shrike, Pied Woodpecker, Bonelli's Eagle, Creset Serpant Eagle, Painted Sandgrouse, Bush Quail and Grey Patridge. Best time to visit Gir is during winters. Also summer is great place to see the wild animals but the scorching heat is quite intolerable.

Facts About Asiatic Lions

Scientific name: Panthera leo persica
Weight: Male 150-250Kg; Female 120-180Kg
Length (head and body): Male 1.7-2.5m; Female 1.4-1.75m
Length (tail): 70-105cm
Shoulder height: Male 1-1.23m; Female 80-107cm
Sexual Maturity: Male 5 years; Female 4 years
Mating season: All year round
Gestation period: 100-119 days
Number of young: 1 to 6
Birth interval: 18-26 months
Typical diet: Deer, antelope, wild boar, buffalo
Lifespan: 16-18 years