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The Lion, Panthera leo, is a mammal of the family Felidae. The male lion, who is easily recognized by his mane, may weigh up to 250 kg. Females are much smaller, weighing up to only 180 kg. Lions are carnivores who live in family groups, called prides, consisting of related females, their cubs of both sexes, and an unrelated male who mates with the adult females. The females do the hunting for the pride. Males are expelled from the pride when they reach maturity.
Despite being popularly known as the "king of the jungle", the lion is an animal of the open plains, and can be found throughout Africa. It is nevertheless a threatened species with significant populations being limited to national parks in Tanzania and South Africa.
The last remnant of the Asiatic lion (subspecies Panthera leo persica), which in historical times ranged from Greece to India through Persia, lives in the Gir Forest of northwestern India. About 300 lions live in a 500-square mile sanctuary in the state of Gujarat.
Lions had become extinct in Greece, their last European outpost, by 100 AD, but they survived in considerable numbers in the Middle East and North Africa until the early 20th century.
Lions are recurring symbols in the coat-of-arm of royalty and chilvary. Lions show up in the art of China, even though lions have never lived in China. No animal has been given more attention in art and literature. C.A.W. Guggisberg, in his book Simba, says the lion is referred to 130 times in the Bible. The lion can be found in stone age cave drawings.
A member of a football club (e.g. Detroit Lions, Brisbane Lions, British and Irish Lions) or other sports team.
A member of a service club (Lions Clubs International)