File:Asian lion cub lying in sand close up - DPLA - 527ef4661ca95dabb7f6126e14fa2981.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora; Family: Felidae; Genus: Panthera; Genus species: Panthera leo persica. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: Male: 2.6-3.3 m; female: 2.4-2.7 m; Height: Male: 1.2 m; female: 1.1 m; Weight: Male: 150-240 kg; female: 122-182 kg; Identification: The Asian lion has a thick coat with a long belly fringe. The male's mane can be tawny to reddish-brown or even black. The Asian lion's body color is tawny with white undersides, and the back of the ears are black; Habitat: Forest; Diet: Carnivore: animals from 50-500 kg; Reproduction: Asian lions breed throughout the year. After gestating for 100-119 days, females give birth to a litter of 1-5 young. Females within a pride will rear their cubs together. The cubs start eating meat at three months of age. Females become receptive when their last litter is two years old. The life expectancy for wild lions is 15 years and is 24 years in captivity; Social Structure: Prides usually consist of 4-12 related females and their young. As many as six males may lead the pride, mating with the females as they come into season; Behavior: Asian lions hunt using stealth, rather than speed. Males in the pride very rarely hunt, leaving the hunting to the females; Status: Endangered; Interesting Facts: Asian lions have been known to be man-killers. However, man-eating Asian lions are usually old, injured, or have no natural prey to hunt due to over-hunting by humans.