March: In like a lion...

Out like a lamb? Some years it seems like the exact opposite, but I think we can all agree March is historically a month of transition when it comes to weather.

Speaking of lions, keep reading below for some fun facts on one of our favorite big cats…

1) The social network

Probably the best known of the big cats, lions are also the most social. Lions will live in prides that range in size from three to 30 individuals. All the lionesses in a pride are usually related to each other.
While the female population of a pride remains stable, males are transient, staying as little as a couple of months or as long as six years, until they're driven off by other males. A pride may have anywhere from one to seven males.

2) The women bring home the “bacon”

Female lions (also known as lionesses) do about 90% of the hunting. Females are better camouflaged because they lack conspicuous manes. Female lions also usually do the hunting at night to avoid being noticed.

3) Have roar, will travel

Male lions will use their roar to scare off intruders and warn the pride of potential danger. It’s also a show of power among other males. Lion roars can be heard for up to 5 miles away!

4) Tag-a-long cubs

After their birth, cubs are raised in the pride in a communal way, with female lions caring for all the cubs. Cubs follow the mother for three months and are weaned after six months. While cubs participate in kills at 11 months, they are fully dependent on adults for food until 16 months.

5) The only cat to be sexually dimorphic

It’s really just a scientific term to describe a distinct difference in size or appearance between the sexes of an animal. You won’t ever find a mane on a lioness!