Tanzania-a Lot of Lions is one of many articles to be created from photos taken on three connected safaris (Botswana and Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya) between June 20 and July 31, 2009, with Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California (www.cheesemans.com). We had previously traveled with them to Antarctica, 2000/2001. Diane and I flew out of Peoria on a 6:00 AM flight to Minneapolis on June 20. After a 7-hour wait, it was on to Amsterdam. After a 5-hour wait, we boarded a plane for an 11-hour flight to Johannesburg, South
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The photos in this article were taken
over eight minutes as we enjoyed the interaction of the lions and cubs on a...
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Most Lionesses will have reproduced by
the time they are four years of age The average gestation period is...
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The cubs are born blind with their eyes
not opening until about a week after birth. They weigh 2-1/2 to 4-1/2...
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Usually, the mother does not integrate
herself and her cubs back into the pride until the cubs are six to...
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When first introduced to the rest of the
pride, the cubs initially lack confidence when confronted with adult...
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Lions live for ten to fourteen years in
the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than twenty years. In the...
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Lions are not known for stamina with
their hearts making up about .50% of their body weight. In comparison, a...
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The Lioness has to be close to its prey
before starting the attack. She can take advantage of factors that reduce...
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Lions' prey is usually large mammals
like wildebeest, impalas, zebras, buffalo, and warthogs. Other species are...
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A Lion may gorge itself and eat up to 65
pounds at one time; if it is unable to consume all the kill it will...
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Lion coloration varies from light buff
to yellowish, reddish, or dark brown. The underparts are generally...
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Lions are the only members of the cat
family to display sexual dimorphism—that is, males and females look...
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A pride of lions consists of related
females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of...
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The Lion has been an icon for humanity
for thousands of years, appearing in cultures across Europe, Asia, and...
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Most Lions now live in eastern and
southern Africa, and their numbers there are rapidly decreasing, with...
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The lion is the tallest at the shoulder
of the felines, and also is the second-heaviest feline after the tiger. With...
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Lionesses, the hunters, lack the males'
thick cumbersome manes. The manes seem to impede the males' ability to be...
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Lionesses act as a coordinated group as
they stalk and bring down prey successfully. However, if nearby the...
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Young lions first display stalking
behavior around three months of age, although they do not participate...
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Smaller prey is eaten at the location of
the kill and shared among the hunters. When large prey is killed, it is often...
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The Lion population in Africa has been
reduced by half since the early 1950s. Today, fewer than 21,000 remain...
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Capable hunters by 2 years of age, Lions
become fully grown between 5 and 6 years and normally live about 13 years.
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Most Lions drink water daily if
available, but can go four or five days without it. Lions in arid...
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This shot wins first prize in our minds
as the cub thoroughly trusts its mother for protection including a shady spot...
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If the cubs are not eating, sleeping or
nursing, they will engage in rough-housing with each other. This serves the...
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Africa
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