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{{Taxonomy
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]].
|name=Lion
|image=Lion.jpg
|caption=
|superkingdom=
|kingdom=Animalia
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|superphylum=
|phylum=Chordata
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|division=
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|superclass=
|class=Mammalia
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|superorder=
|order=Carnivora
|suborder=
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|families=
|family=Felidae
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|tribe=
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|genera=
|genus= Panthera
|subgenus=
|species=P. leo
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}}
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 [[mane]].
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.
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.
== 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 appear over 150 times in the [[Bible]].
Lions appear over 150 times in the [[Bible]].
The first long reference was [[Samson]]'s [[riddle]]:
The first long reference was [[Samson]]'s riddle:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.<br />
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.<br />
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my [[heifer]], ye had not found out my riddle. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.<ref>Judges 14:5-19</ref>
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my [[heifer]], ye had not found out my riddle. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.<ref>Judges 14:5-19</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
[[Image:Lion6.jpg|thumb|210px|right|Until the 1970s the scientific consensus was wrong on how lions killed their prey.<ref>http://ed5015.tripod.com/BLions87.htm</ref> The [[Bible]] was correct regarding how lions killed their prey.<ref>http://ed5015.tripod.com/BLions87.htm</ref>]]
The Prophet Isaiah gave a prophecy about the Coming of the Lord:
The Prophet Isaiah gave a prophecy about the Coming of the Lord:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<br>
<br>
==Lions in The Origin of Species==
==Lions in The Origin of Species==
[[Image:Lion.png|thumb|Heraldry of León, Spain]]
[[Image:Lion.png|thumb|The constellation Leo.]]
Lions appear three times in [[The Origin of Species]].
Lions appear three times in [[The Origin of Species]].
The points of structure, in which the embryos of widely different animals of the same class resemble each other, often have no direct relation to their conditions of existence. We cannot, for instance, suppose that in the embryos of the vertebrata the peculiar loop-like course of the arteries near the branchial slits are related to similar conditions, in the young mammal which is nourished in the womb of its mother, in the egg of the bird which is hatched in a nest, and in the spawn of a frog under water. We have no more reason to believe in such a relation, than we have to believe that the same bones in the hand of a man, wing of a bat, and fin of a porpoise, are related to similar conditions of life. No one will suppose that the stripes on the whelp of a lion, or the spots on the young blackbird, are of any use to these animals, or are related to the conditions to which they are exposed.
The points of structure, in which the embryos of widely different animals of the same class resemble each other, often have no direct relation to their conditions of existence. We cannot, for instance, suppose that in the embryos of the vertebrata the peculiar loop-like course of the arteries near the branchial slits are related to similar conditions, in the young mammal which is nourished in the womb of its mother, in the egg of the bird which is hatched in a nest, and in the spawn of a frog under water. We have no more reason to believe in such a relation, than we have to believe that the same bones in the hand of a man, wing of a bat, and fin of a porpoise, are related to similar conditions of life. No one will suppose that the stripes on the whelp of a lion, or the spots on the young blackbird, are of any use to these animals, or are related to the conditions to which they are exposed.
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
==Lions in popular culture==
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.
''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 lions passed down a love of sunlight. Cats are even named after lions, from Lionheart to Lionblaze.
''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 ==
''See also:'' [[Bible scientific foreknowledge]] and [[Christian/Jewish vegetarianism]] and [[Religion and vegetarianism]] and [[Atheism and veganism]]
The prophet Isaiah says that there will be a time when the lion will lay down with the lamb and the lion will eat straw like the ox (Isaiah 11:7 and 65:25). There was a vegetarian lion named Little Tyke that refused to eat meat.<ref name="The lion who would not eat meat">[https://creation.com/the-lion-that-wouldnt-eat-meat The lion who would not eat meat]</ref>
[[File:8790lion-wont-eat-meat.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|There was a vegetarian lion named Little Tyke that refused to eat meat.<ref name="The lion who would not eat meat">[https://creation.com/the-lion-that-wouldnt-eat-meat The lion who would not eat meat]</ref>]]
David Catchpoole wrote at the website of [[Creation Ministries International]]:
{{Cquote|From 1946 to 1955, A female African lion, born and raised in America, lived her entire lifetime of nine years without ever eating meat.1 In fact, her owners, Georges and Margaret Westbeau,2 alarmed by scientists’ reports that carnivorous animals cannot live without meat, went to great lengths to try to coax their unusual pet (‘Little Tyke’) to develop a taste for it. They even advertised a cash reward for anyone who could devise a meat-containing formula that the lioness would like. The curator of a New York zoo advised the Westbeaus that putting a few drops of blood in Little Tyke’s milk bottle would help in weaning her, but the lioness cub refused to touch it—even when only a single drop of blood had been added.
The more knowledgeable animal experts among the many visitors to the Westbeaus’ 100 acre (40 hectare) ranch also proffered advice, but nothing worked. Meanwhile, Little Tyke continued to do extremely well on a daily diet of cooked grain, raw eggs and milk. By four years of age she was fully grown and weighed 352 pounds (160 kg)...
Mr Westbeau’s observation of the lioness that ‘To condition her stomach she would spend an hour at a time eating the succulent tall grass in the fields’, is also a vivid reminder of the prophecies of Isaiah 11:7 and 65:25, ‘ … the lion will eat straw like the ox.’<ref name="The lion who would not eat meat">[https://creation.com/the-lion-that-wouldnt-eat-meat The lion who would not eat meat]</ref>}}
== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Felines]]
[[Category:Felines]]
[[Category:Biblical Animals]]
[[Category:Biblical Animals]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Mammals]]