Lions John (14) and Imani (13) call the Cincinnati Zoo home!
Lions are among the most fascinating predators in the animal kingdom. With a powerful bite force of 650 PSI, sharp teeth, and strong jaws, they are highly effective hunters capable of taking down the largest prey on the African savanna. A lioness can sprint up to 33 mph, while both males and females rely on stealth, aided by soft paw pads, to stalk their prey. Though lions aren’t skilled climbers, they can leap impressive distances of up to 39 feet vertically and 36 feet horizontally.
Unlike other cats, lions are social and live in prides. Male lions protect their territory—up to 100 square miles—by roaring (which can be heard 5 miles away) and scent-marking. Their distinctive manes reveal their health and hormone levels, with darker manes indicating higher testosterone. Male lions sleep up to 20 hours daily, while females typically rest 15–18 hours.
Sadly, lions have vanished from 92% of their historic range, and fewer than 20,000 remain in the wild. The Cincinnati Zoo actively supports lion conservation through over a 15-year partnership with SORALO, which blends traditional practices and modern technology to promote coexistence between communities and wildlife. With efforts like these, there’s hope for restoring a healthy lion population.
