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The '''lion''' is a large [[feline]]. Today restricted to [[Africa]] south of the [[Sahara]] and a small population in the Kathiawar peninsula of [[India]], historically lions were also found throughout the [[Middle East]], North Africa and in Southern [[Europe]]; hunting down the Nemean Lion was amongst the twelve labours of [[Hercules]].

The '''lion''' is a large [[feline]] and the second-largest cat in the world after the [[tiger]]. Restricted to [[Africa]] south of the [[Sahara]] and a small population in the Kathiawar peninsula of [[India]], historically lions were also found throughout the [[Middle East]], North Africa and in Southern [[Europe]]; hunting down the Nemean Lion was amongst the twelve labors of [[Hercules]].

Lions are unusual amongst felines for their social habits, typically living in small family groups called prides, and their sexual dimorphism, the male lion being readily distinguished from the lioness by his larger size and distinctive mane, although certain varieties of maneless lions have been known to exist.

Lions are unusual among felines for their social habits, typically living in small family groups called prides, and for their sexual dimorphism: the male lion is readily distinguished from the lioness by his larger size and distinctive mane, although certain varieties of maneless lions have been known to exist.

Hunting in lion prides is typically done by the lionesses, often with some waiting in ambush while others drive prey in their direction. The male lions are generally the first to eat, though. Lions are capable of hunting a wide range of potential prey, from animals as large as a water buffalo or [[yak]], to creatures as small as a [[rabbit]] or a [[lemur]]. They are known to feast on carrion as well as fresh meat.

Lionesses typically hunt in prides, often with some waiting in ambush while others drive prey toward them. The male lions are generally the first to eat, though. Lions can hunt a wide range of prey, from animals as large as a water buffalo or [[yak]] to creatures as small as a [[rabbit]] or a [[lemur]]. They also feast on carrion as well as fresh meat, sometimes stealing as much from other predators as the others do to them.

Culturally, lions are usually associated with nobility and [[monarchy|kingship]], thanks to their laconic, regal air and fearsome predatory abilities. The lion is often colloquially known as 'king of the jungle', although lions do not in fact inhabit [[jungle]]s or rainforests, and are typically found on plains and savannas.

Culturally, lions are usually associated with nobility and [[monarchy|kingship]], thanks to their laconic, regal air and fearsome predatory abilities. The lion is often colloquially known as 'king of the jungle', although lions do not in fact inhabit [[jungle]]s or rainforests, and are typically found on plains and savannas.

== Man-eating lions ==

== Man-eating lions ==

Although isolated attacks by lions on [[human]]s are not uncommon, the development of habitual [[anthropophagy]] is rare in lions. However, in East Africa in 1898 a pride of man-eating lions devoured nearly 140 [[railway]] workers constructing a bridge on the Uganda Railway, severely disrupting work, before they were finally shot by J. H. Patterson.<ref>[http://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit_sites/tsavo/maneaters.html Lions of Tsavo]</ref>

Although isolated attacks by lions on [[human]]s are not uncommon, habitual [[anthropophagy]] is rare in lions. However, in East Africa in 1898, a pride of man-eating lions, led by two maneless males, devoured nearly 140 [[railway]] workers constructing a bridge on the Uganda Railway, severely disrupting work, before they were finally shot by J. H. Patterson.<ref>[http://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit_sites/tsavo/maneaters.html Lions of Tsavo]</ref>

== Lions in the Bible ==

== Lions in the Bible ==

==Lions in popular culture==

==Lions in popular culture==

The Disney film ''[[The Lion King]]'' and its 2019 remake stars several lions as the main characters: protagonist prince Simba, his parents Mufasa and Sarabi, his mate Nala, and his evil uncle Scar. ''The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride'' features more lion characters: Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara, Kiara's eventual mate Kovu, Kovu's mother Zira, and Kovu's brother and sister Nuka and Vitani. One of the TV series of the movie, ''The Lion Guard'', includes Simba's son Kion, who is in charge of leading the titular Lion Guard in protecting the Pride Lands; the series later depicted Asiatic lions as guardians for the Tree of Life.

The Disney film ''[[The Lion King]]'' and its 2019 remake star several lions as the main characters: protagonist prince Simba, his parents Mufasa and Sarabi, his mate Nala, and his evil uncle Scar. ''The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride'' features more lion characters: Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara, Kiara's eventual mate Kovu, Kovu's mother Zira, and Kovu's brother and sister Nuka and Vitani. One of the TV series based on the movie, ''The Lion Guard'', features Simba's son Kion, who leads the titular Lion Guard in protecting the Pride Lands; the series later depicts Asiatic lions as guardians of the Tree of Life.

''Jungle Emperor Leo'' is a 1950s manga and later 1960s anime (titled ''Kimba the White Lion'' in America) about a white lion cub named Leo/Kimba, who becomes king after his father - Panja/Caesar the king, also called the "white demon of the jungle" - is killed. Several more lions include Leo/Kimba's father Panja/Caesar, his girlfriend Lyra/Kitty and her uncle Specklerex, and his rival Bubu/Claw.

''Jungle Emperor Leo'' is a 1950s manga and later 1960s anime (titled ''Kimba the White Lion'' in America) about a white lion cub named Leo/Kimba, who becomes king after his father - Panja/Caesar the king, also called the "white demon of the jungle" - is killed. Several more lions include Leo/Kimba's father Panja/Caesar, his girlfriend Lyra/Kitty and her uncle Specklerex, and his rival Bubu/Claw.

''The Chronicles Of Narnia'' fantasy book series includes Aslan, a majestic lion who is an allegory for [[Jesus Christ]].

''The Chronicles of Narnia'' is a fantasy book series that includes Aslan, a majestic lion who is an allegory for [[Jesus Christ]].

''Warriors'' - a book series by Erin Hunter about feral cats - does not actually feature lions, but they are mentioned as mighty and powerful cats. The feral cat Clans believe that lions passed down to them a love of sunlight. Cats are even named after lions, from Lionheart to Lionblaze.

''Warriors'' - a book series by Erin Hunter about feral cats - does not actually feature lions, but they are mentioned as mighty and powerful cats. The feral cat Clans believe lions passed down a love of sunlight. Cats are even named after lions, from Lionheart to Lionblaze.

''Bravelands'', the fourth book series made by Erin Hunter starring African animals, has a lion cub named Fearless whose father Gallant is killed by the rogue lion Titan and is adopted by a troop of baboons. Other lions include his mother Swift, his half-sister Valor, Titan's favorite lioness Artful, and Titan and Artful's son Ruthless. A lone lion named Loyal is later confirmed to be Fearless's true father, with Gallant acting as the young lion's stepfather.

''Bravelands'', the fourth book series by Erin Hunter starring African animals, features a lion cub named Fearless whose father, Gallant, is killed by the rogue lion Titan and who is adopted by a troop of baboons. Other lions include his mother, Swift; his half-sister, Valor; Titan's favorite lioness, Artful; and Titan and Artful's son, Ruthless. A lone lion named Loyal is later confirmed to be Fearless's true father, with Gallant acting as the young lion's stepfather.

== Vegetarian lion ==

== Vegetarian lion ==