Lion

The lion (Panthera leo) is a species of felid in the genus Panthera. It is native to savannas and grasslands of Africa and India. Lions are muscular, having a short round head, deep-chested body, round ears, and a hairy tuft on it's tail. Lions are sexually dimorphic, with males being larger than females and have a prominent mane. Lions are social species, forming groups known as prides which usually consists of a few adult males and related females and cubs. Groups of lionesses would usually hunt together, preying on mostly large ungulates. The lion both an apex and keystone predator; despite this, Nile crocodiles may sometimes prey on lions (or vice versa) and some lions may scavenge when opportunities occur and hunt lions usually don't.

It is usually more diurnal than other wild cats, but when persecuted, it is active at night and at twilight. In the Neolithic Period, the lion has ranged throughout of Africa, Western Asia, northern parts, the Caucasus, India and Southeast Europe, but is now reduced to fragmented populations in sub-Saharan Africa and a population in western India. The lion was listed as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because populations in African countries has declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. The lion populations are untenable outside of protected areas. While the cause of decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest cause of concern.

Lions are one of the most recognized animals in the world. Lions have been extensively depicted in culture, sculptures, paintings, flags, and contemporary films and literature. Lions have been a key species that has been exhibited in zoos around the world since the late 18th century.

Etymology
The English word lion comes from the Anglo-Norman word, liun from Latin, leōnem (nomiminative: leō), which in turn borrows from the Ancient Greek λέων léōn. The generic name, Panthera, orginates from the classical Latin word, 'panthēra' and the ancient Greek word πάνθηρ 'panther'.