Lion

Meet the lion

The lion, Panthera leo, is a wild member of the cat family. This profile introduces its place in the atlas and directs readers to specialist information. It is presented for education and conservation, not as a recommendation for private ownership.

Recognizing the species

Social groups and a mane in many adult males is a useful characteristic to notice. Identification can depend on more than a single photograph: age, lighting, geography and individual variation affect appearance. Check the source material when comparing similar species.

Range and habitat

The species is associated with Sub-Saharan Africa and India. Its habitat context includes open woodland and grassland. This broad description is not a current distribution map; local populations may be fragmented or absent from parts of a historical range.

Life in a changing landscape

Wild cats need functioning habitats and appropriate prey. Human land use can change movement routes and create new encounters with people. The pressures affecting a population differ by place, so conservation work needs local evidence as well as a broad species perspective.

Conservation and responsible observation

Consult the specialist sources below for current assessments, research and conservation programs. Do not infer a population trend from the visibility of photographs online. A frequently photographed animal can still face serious pressures in the wild.

• Choose wildlife observation that respects distance and local guidance.
• Avoid sharing precise locations when this could put animals at risk.
• Check the date and geographic scope of conservation claims.
• Support organizations that explain their methods and outcomes.

Classification notes

This entry belongs to the atlas’s initial 40-species scope based on the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group’s living-species directory and 2017 classification framework. Scientific classifications can change as evidence develops. Common names may also differ between languages.

Questions for further learning

Is this a domestic breed?

No. It is a wild species with ecological and behavioral needs distinct from the domestic cat.

Where can I find a current conservation category?

Follow the linked specialist profile and the IUCN Red List. Check the assessment date rather than treating an undated badge as current.