What is the name of state animal of Gujarat. Description of Asiatic Lion (state animal of Gujarat). Lion has been classified as endangered by the IUCN. Lions are the only cats that live in groups, called prides.
Panthera leo persica, One of the largest of Indian cats. Asiatic Lions are found inhabiting open grasslands and forests of India, including scrub jungles. Asian lions have powerful retractable claws and long sharp canine teeth that are used in dragging their prey to the ground. The males are orange-yellow to dark brown in color, while the females have a sandy or tawny color.
Males also have a mane, which is usually dark in color, but is rarely seen to be of black color. This characteristic mane is absent in the females. The mane of an Asiatic Lion is also shorter than that of an African Lion.
Female lions are the pride’s primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon large mammals. Hunting success in lions is influenced by hunting-group size and composition, the hunting method used and by environmental factors such as grass and shrub cover, time of day, light presence at night etc…………..
Age of sexual maturity is 3-5 years for male lion and 2-4 years for female lion. The gestation period last for between 3.5 – 4 months and usually give birth between between 2 to 5 cubs. The cubs start eating meat at about 3 months of age while continuing to suckle for up to 6 months.