The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail.
We saw many lion on safari while living in Africa. They typically were lollygagging in the shade under an acacia tree. We could pull up within twenty feet of one in our open-sided Land Cruiser and he would raise his head and gaze at us with those golden eyes. He looked so soft and cuddly like a kitten, but was not one to be trifled with.
The true workers were the females in his pride. They are the ones we had the privilege of watching on the hunt, surrounding a herd of Cape buffalo and bringing down a female.
