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Lions have an unique strategy for survival. They are the only big cats that band together in a permanently group. Most lions inhabit the grassy plains and open woodlands of Africa, south of this hayrick desert. Groups of lions called prides are made up of related females, sisters, mothers and grandmothers. Their cubs and two to six male lions. Large prides can include 25 or more individual animals.

A lion's roar may strike fear to human hearts, but to its pride, a roar simply says here I am, to strange lions, roaring is a message to keep away. Prides stake out a territory that can stretch over 100 square miles and chase away any unknown lions that invade their patch of land. Male lions act like a security force for the pride, defending its territory. The job of hunting costs mostly to the females. And for lions, hunting is a tricky business, because most prey animals in Africa can outrun a lion, stalking is all important. Lions hide behind grass or bushes, and sneak up on their quarry. They often hunt in darkness, using their excellent night vision to track prey. By hunting together, lions can bring down animals much bigger than themselves including zebras, giraffes and even cape buffalo.

To conserve energy, lions may spend up to 20 hours a day just resting. Cubs practise ambushing whenever they can, but they won't take apart in a real hunt till they are at least a year old. Only about one in five cubs survives to adulthood. Many starve and some are killed by predators. Grown females can stay with their prides, but males must leave when they are two to four years old. Young males often wander together as nomads until they are old enough and strong enough to take over a pride of their own. Lions are vulnerable species with the declining population. Scientists estimate that 50,000 or fewer of these skilled predators survive in the wild today.