14 Facts About Lions

Lions have been kept in menageries since the time of the Roman Empire and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoological gardens across the world since the late 18th century.

Lions spend much of their time resting; they are inactive for about twenty hours per day.

Lions kill other predators such as leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena but seldom consume them.

Lions typically consume prey at the location of the hunt but sometimes drag large prey into cover.

Lions defend their kills from scavengers such as vultures and hyenas.

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Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous.

Lions have an array of facial expressions and body postures that serve as visual gestures.

Lions are part of a group of exotic animals that have been central to zoo exhibits since the late 18th century.

Lions's two sisters, born in 1986, reached the age of 22.

Lions were kept in cramped and squalid conditions at London Zoo until a larger lion house with roomier cages was built in the 1870s.

Lions were hunted during the Mughal Empire, where Emperor Jahangir is said to have excelled at it.

Lions do not usually hunt humans but some seem to seek them out.

Lions are frequently mentioned in the Bible, notably in the Book of Daniel, in which the eponymous hero refuses to worship King Darius and is forced to sleep in the lions' den where he is miraculously unharmed .

Lions are frequently depicted on coats of arms, like on the coat of arms of Finland, either as a device on shields or as supporters, but the lioness is used much less frequently.