World Lion Day, observed on August 10, is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting one of the planet’s most iconic animals.
Known for their size, strength, massive paws and formidable teeth, lions command respect with a single roar. Revered worldwide as symbols of courage and strength, they are also unique among big cats for living in groups, known as prides.
Despite their status, lions are classed as vulnerable in the wild. The World Wildlife Fund estimates only around 20,000 to 25,000 remain.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has warned that numbers could continue to decline without serious conservation efforts, citing habitat loss and food shortages as key threats.
World Lion Day was first celebrated in 2013 with the aim of highlighting the challenges facing lions and encouraging global conservation action.
1. They're really very lazy
They may be pretty tough and scary when they're awake, but that actually isn't very often.
Lions love nothing more than a good snooze, sleeping for up to 20 hours a day!
2. They're all about girl power
When it comes to lions, the ladies are in charge. Lionesses do nearly all of the hunting, bringing food back for the entire pride.
They are also responsible for raising the children, and typically give birth to a litter every two years, which could between one and four cubs.
3. They don't have great table manners
Despite their huge teeth, lions don't actually chew their food.
Instead, they swallow it in huge chunks, using just one side of their mouth.
4. They're not exactly quiet!
A lion can't actually roar until it is two years old.
But when it does, it's so loud you can hear it five miles away.
5. They don't like porcupines
They may not be very big, but porcupines are surprisingly a lion's biggest enemy.
Tricked into sniffing the little animal, unlucky lions can end up with one of the porcupine's spikes stuck in their mouth for the rest of their lives.
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