Interesting facts about lions

August 26, 2009 | In: Animal facts for kids

The average lifespan of lions in the wild is 15 years but they may life up to 25 years or beyond in captivity.

Lion cubs have spots at birth that disappear with age.

A lion can run up to a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour.

Lions do not eat an entire kill in most of the cases. Other predators, like hyenas and vultures, have been known to finish the kill of a lion. After eating, a thirsty lion may drink for as long as 20 minutes.

A male lion marks the territory of his pride by spraying a mixture of urine and glandular secretions on tree trunks and bushes.

The lion’s roar can be heard anywhere from four miles (6.4km) to
seven miles (11.2km).

Usually lions do not attack humans unless provoked, but this certainly does occur. These
attacks most often occur at night.

Lions don’t hunt during the day. They hunt at night right through till dawn. A female lion needs 11 pounds of meat a day. A male needs 15 pounds or more a day.

A lion’s body temperature ranges from 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F. (38.05 – 39.16 degrees C.)