In the wild, lions live for an average of 12 years and up to 16 years. They live up to 25 years in captivity.

Lions hunt large animals such as zebra and wildebeest.

Female lions reach two-thirds of their adult size by the time they are two years old.

Lions used to be spread across most of Africa, but now are only found in sub-Saharan Africa. Lions have disappeared from 12 sub-Saharan countries in recent decades.

A female lion needs 5kg of meat a day. A male needs 7kg or more a day.

An adult male’s roar can be heard up to 8km away.

Lions run at a speed of up to 81km/h.

Lions are the most sociable of all big cats. They live in groups of 10-15 lions, known as prides.

The Lion’s scientific name is Panthero Leo.

Although known as the ‘king of the jungle’, most lions live on open grasslands or savannah. Only one group of wild forest-dwelling lions remains in the Gir Forest in India.

With only around 20,000 left in the wild, lions are now officially classified as ‘vulnerable’.

Female lions do 85-90% of the hunting, whilst the males patrol the territory and protect the pride.