Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

Hunting prey

Lions live mainly on savannas (grassy

plains) and scrubland, and the females

do most of the hunting. this picture

shows two adult lionesses charging at

a young gazelle, separating it from

the rest of the herd.

LIONS,

SkuLL and teetH

big cats 318- Lions, tigers, and other

strong skulls with powerful jaws.

their spearlike canine teeth

are used to grab hold of the

victim. the large molar teeth

cut flesh and gristle as the jaw

opens and closes.

Large feet and

sharp claws

Lion has a

thick, shaggy

mane.

Large, strong

canine teeth for

tearing prey

Lion pride

Lions are the

only big cats

that live in

groups, called

prides, which may be

up to 30 strong. the pride roams

over an area of 40 sq miles (100 sq km) or more,

depending on the abundance of prey in the area.

the large male lions protect the pride’s territory

against other prides. the lions also defend the

females against other males.

Few creatureS are HeLd in such awe as

lions, tigers, cheetahs, and leopards, which we

often call the big cats. these agile predators

have strong, razor-sharp teeth and claws,

muscular bodies, and excellent senses.

their beautiful striped and spotted

fur breaks up their outline and

camouflages them, allowing them

to ambush unwary zebras, giraffes, and

other prey. there are seven kinds of big cats. the tiger is the largest.

a fully grown tiger may measure more than 10 ft (3 m) from nose to

tail; a fully grown lion is almost as big.

the first large cats lived 45 million years ago. Many, including

the lion, cheetah, and leopard, still inhabit parts of africa.

Snow leopards and lions dwell in the mountains and

forests of asia. Jaguars are the largest of the big cats

in north and South america. they are equally at

home swimming in lakes or climbing trees.

The dominant male is

the strongest member

of the pride. It can

measure 8 ft (2.5 m) in

length, and 3 ft (1 m)

high at the shoulder.

tIgerS, aND OtHer BIg CatS

cubS

Like all young big cats, tiger cubs

have pale markings when they are

born. after a few months, the pale

stripes change to black and orange.

carnivoreS

Lions, tigers, and other big cats are true

carnivores (meat-eaters). Lions usually eat large

prey such as antelopes and zebras. one giraffe

is often enough to feed a whole pride of lions.

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