The African Lions and the Amur Tigers

_Elsa_

“Here are the African Lions [Panthera leo],” Harry says.  

‘Male lions grow to be 9 to 10 feet long and can weigh up to 500 pounds. Females grow to be seven to 8 feet long and weigh between 270 and 350 pounds. The average lifespan of the African Lion in the wild is 15 to 18 years, and 25 to 30 years in human care. The African lion has a golden tan coat that blends well with Savanna and grassland surroundings. A lion’s roar can carry more than five miles. 

African lions are the only cats known to live in groups, which are known as prides. Lions roar to announce their presence within a territory and to keep members of a pride in touch with one another.

The African Lion is carnivorous, but it will eat basically anything, including small insects, when hungry. The lionesses are the hunters of the pride, stealthily attacking prey in the early morning or at night.

Breeding occurs year-round. After a gestation of 102-113 days, one to six young are born to each female. Most litters are two or three cubs.’ (Source)

“And here are the Amur Tigers [Panthera tigris altaica],” says Harry. 

‘Males can grow up to 10.5 feet long and can weigh between 450 and 675 pounds. Females are up to 8 feet long and weigh 200 to 350 pounds. Estimated lifespan of 10 to 15 years in the wild, and an average lifespan of 16 to 22 years in human care. There is reddish-orange to reddish-brown with distinctive dark vertical stripes.

Although often referred to still as Siberian tigers, the range of these tigers has drastically reduced and they no longer inhabit Siberia. The tiger is the largest living feline, growing up to 10 feet in length and weighing up to 675 pounds. Much like a fingerprint, a tiger’s stripes are variable between individuals with no two tigers looking just the same. These tigers eat deer, antelope, wild cattle, and wild pigs. They can move extremely swiftly over short distances and they are excellent swimmers. Tigers hunt at night, ambushing their prey. 

Amur tigers reach sexual maturity three years for females and four years for males. Like most cats, tigers are induced ovulators. A female tiger signals she is in estrus through behavior, scent, and sound. Once a male finds a mate, copulation is continuous for a five day period. The gestation period is approximately 103 days. Amur tigers are endangered. Since the tigers are at the top of the food chain, survival of the species is dependent on maintaining and enlarging their habitat and protecting them from poachers. At one time, there were eight tiger subspecies. Only five remain now and even they are on the brink. The tiger population reached an all-time low of 24 animals in the 1940s. Because of survival programs, that number has grown to an estimated 400.’ (Source) 

“Does anyone need the restrooms or a snack,” Harry asks. “Let’s stop here for a few minutes.” 

Let’s continue - The Zebras and the Meerkats 

Start at the beginning – The girls go to the zoo