Nearly all wild lions live in Africa, but one small population exists elsewhere In the wild, there lion cake for adults two formally recognised lion subspecies. Africa, south of the Sahara desert. Gir Forest National Park in western India.

Wild lions in the west and central Africa are more closely related to these Asiatic lions in India than to those found in southern and east Africa. They need this weight and power behind them to hunt large prey and defend their pride. They start off spotty Young lions have rosettes and spots on their sandy coats, but these generally disappear as they mature. The magnificent manes on male lions tell a story Male lions grow impressive manes the older they get. These manes grow up to 16cm long and are a sign of dominance.

The older they get, the darker their manes go. As well as attracting females, their manes may also protect their neck and head from injuries during fights. Lion cubs are reared together A pride of lions is usually made up of related females and their cubs, plus a male or small group of males who defend their pride. The lionesses rear their cubs together and cubs can suckle from any female with milk. Lions can get their water from plants Lions are highly adaptable and can live in very dry areas like the Kalahari Desert. Here they get most of their water from their prey and will even drink from plants such as the Tsamma melon. Lions are big eaters Lions can eat up to 40kg of meat in a single meal – around a quarter of their body weight.