Lion Parkl

Visit South Africa for an intimate observation of the king of beasts! Here at the Lion Park, one would not only be able to watch lions in their natural habitat as they roam majestically in groups on the vast grass plains but also enjoy the rare experience of hugging a lion cub and taking a photograph with it. The adorable sight of lion cub in one's arms will melt your heart and you will find it hard not to treat it like a harmless kitten.  

The African lion is the largest living cat from the Felidae family in Africa. Prides of lions typically spend most of their time resting and only hunt in the evenings. Hunting is principally done by female lions in a group. Lionesses are in heat once every three months and an estrous period may last four to eight days. The gestation period typically spans for 102~113 days and a pregnant lioness may give birth to a litter of two to four cubs. Lion cubs are born blind and it takes six to nine days for them to open their eyes. Lion cubs are not be able to live independently until they are between 18 months or two years old. As primary targets for other predators, lion cubs are particularly vulnerable during this period. In fact, as high as 80% of lion cubs die before the age of two. The high mortality rate of lion cubs make the protection from lioness extremely crucial before lion cubs mature. Male and female African lions have distinctively different physiques; the male is significantly larger in size and more majestic in appearance. In addition, the male lion has a larger head, broader face, and thick mane that runs from its head all the way to its chest and forelimbs. The roar of a male lion is loud and rhythmic. In contrast, the lioness is smaller in size and does not have mane like the male. Adult lion can grow to 3.0~3.3 meters in length, as heavy as 260 kg in weight with a shoulder height of 1.10~1.15 meters. The lioness is slightly smaller in comparison. Lions' preferred habitat is open grasslands or edge of scrub forest. Unlike tigers, lions do not require abundant sources of water in their habitat nor do they linger in jungles. Lions could neither climb trees nor swim. Compared to other big cats, lions are very social and they gather in prides that consist of one male lion, several lionesses and cubs. Lions generally conceal themselves and rest in shrubs during the day and become active only during dawn and evenings.
African lions become sexually mature when they reach three or four years of age. The estrous cycle for lioness typically run for 21~23 days and the estrous period may last for four to eight days. At the game reserve, the African lions are polyestrous all year round but they are most conspicuously in heat during early spring and fall. When not separated, the male and female may copulate up to seven to ten times within an hour. This is actually bad for the lions' health and they should be only allowed to mate twice during the morning and twice in the evening before being isolated.

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