Lions are large cats that live in groups and are usually called
prides. All lionesses of the pride are related, and female cubs
typically stay with groups of their age. Young males eventually
leave and create their own prides by taking over a group with
another male leader. Only the male lions have manes, the
impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males
carefully defend and offer safety to the pride's territory,
which can comprise about 100 square miles of grasslands, scrub,
or open woodlands. These intimidating animals mark their area
with urine forming their territory. Female lions are the most
important hunters in prides. They often team up to prey upon
antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, and other big animals which live
in the open grasslands. Lions have been celebrated and admired
during the time for their courage and strength. Lions once
roamed most of Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. Nowadays
they can be seen only in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, except a
very small population of Asia