A Whole New World of Simba: 10 Amazing Facts About These Big Cats for World Lion Day

By Joyce Marucot

Aug 11, 2016 04:20 AM EDT

To celebrate the World Lion Day, get to know more about the quirks of the "King of the Jungle."
(Photo : Ryan Poplin/Creative Commons/Flickr)

Lions are seriously fierce animals. Unlike their smaller feline relatives, lions are way bigger, wilder and untamed. After all, lions can't be called "king of the jungle" if they are you know, plain and ordinary.

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And to give homage for their strong and royal image, here are some of the most amazing and fascinating facts about lions.

1. Two Kinds of Kings

According to Live Science, there are two kinds of lions: the Asiatic lions that live in India's Gir Forest and African lions live in central and southern Africa.

2. Roaring for Communication

If people talk to communicate and to be understood, lions roar to communicate their position to other prides. A lion's roar is the loudest of any big cat and can be heard up to 8km away , One Kind Org reports.

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3. Determining a Lion's Age

World Wildlife Fund reported that the darker the mane, the older the lion.
4. Lions are Fierce, Regardless of Gender
In the world of lions, both male and female lions as are as fierce. Male lions defend the pride's territory while females are the main hunters of the pride even though males eat first.

5. Puma an Outcast?

Interestingly, mountain lions (pumas) are in the same family (Felidae) as Asiatic and African lions, but they are not considered lions, Live Science reports.

6. Sharp Night Vision

One Kind Org reported that lions have terrific night vision. They are six times more sensitive to light than humans. This gives them distinct advantage over some prey species when hunting at night.

7. Royal Walk

Did you know that a lion's heels don't touch the ground when it walks? Yes, they don't, according to World Wildlife Fund.

8. Bed Buddy

Lions enjoy relaxing and lazing around. They spend 16 to 20 hours each day resting and sleeping, One Kind Org reports.

9. Pride is the Name of the Game

National Geographic reported that young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male. Talk about being independent.

10. Amazing Leapers

A lion can run for short distances at 50 mph and leap as far as 36 feet, World Wildlife Fund reports.
Lions might be "king of the jungle," but their numbers are seriously declining.

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In fact, in Sasan-Gir National Park in India is primarily created to protect the last remaining Asiatic lions. There are roughly 350 to 400 lions in that park. According to World Wildlife Fund, the lion was once found throughout Africa, Asia and Europe but now exists only in Africa with one exception.

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/26630/20160811/world-lion-day.htm