The Smithsonian's National Zoo is home to three African lions—males Shaka and Jumbe and female Shera. Luke, one of the Zoo's famous residents, died in 2022.

Lions are good climbers and often rest in trees, perhaps to catch a cool breeze or to get away from flies. Lions sometimes lie around in crazy poses, such as on their backs with their feet in the air, or legs spread wide apart! Lions are famous for their sonorous roar.

Lions are mostly crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and spend much of the day sitting or sleeping. They communicate using nine distinct vocalizations, including roars, grunts and growls. A lion's roar can be heard up to five miles away.

Lions are famous for their sonorous roar but have other forms of communication as well, mostly used to mark territory. They spread their scent by rubbing their muzzle on tufts of grass or shrubs, and they rake the earth with their hind paws, as the paws have scent glands, too.

Experience the new lion habitat at Audubon Zoo, part of our conservation efforts to protect endangered species from extinction.

2 days ago · These rescues mark the 30th mountain lion rescue for the Zoo, with close collaboration with CDFW. Oakland Zoo's advanced Veterinary Hospital has enabled the Zoo to assist in numerous mountain lion rescue cases for those who were sick, injured, burned, or orphaned. The three mountain lion cubs, now named Fern (female), Thistle (male), and Spruce ...

14 hours ago · Three mountain lion cubs, believed to have been orphaned after their mother was killed by a car, are currently recovering at the Oakland Zoo in California.. Fern, Thistle and Spruce were found by ...

Lions’ coloration provides excellent camouflage in grassy plains and scrub country. Lions have 9 distinct vocalizations. The roar can be heard at a distance of 5 miles and is usually heard at sundown, after a kill and after eating.

In a 24-hour period, lions have short bursts of intense activity followed by long bouts of lying around that can total up to 21 hours! These gorgeous felines are good climbers and often rest in trees, perhaps to catch a cool breeze or to get away from flies.

Meet the iconic African lion at the Columbus Zoo. Learn about their savanna habitat, pride dynamics, and ongoing conservation efforts in Africa!