African lion (Panthera leo)

The African lion (Panthera leo) is a large, muscular big cat native to sub-Saharan Africa. Known as the "king of the jungle," it is a social animal that lives in groups called prides, which typically include related females, their young, and a few males. Lions are strong predators, primarily hunting large herbivores like zebras and wildebeests. They have a distinctive golden coat, a thick mane on males, and are important in their ecosystems as top predators. Lions are currently considered vulnerable due to threats like habitat loss and human conflict.