info Announcement 1 of 6:

The following Park Experiences are temporarily suspended due to safe distancing measures:
Elephant Presentation  |  Keepers' Chit Chat 

info Announcement 2 of 6:

The Wet Play Area at KidzWorld is temporarily closed due to safe distancing measures. Pony rides, Falabella grooming and Rabbit petting at Buddy Barn at KidzWorld are temporarily suspended due to safe distancing measures.

info Announcement 3 of 6:

Our shows are operating at limited capacity as part of the necessary Safe Management Measures. We seek your understanding that once full, we will be unable to accept more guests.

info Announcement 4 of 6:

The following exhibit will be closed due to upgrading works:
Frozen Tundra (Until further notice) | White Tiger (10 Mar 21 from 1pm onwards)

info Announcement 5 of 6:

There will be a Bi-Annual Emergency Drill on 8 - 9 Mar 21. The following park experiences will operate from 10.30am onwards:
Rainforest Kidzworld  |  Wild Animal Carousel  |  Tram Services

info Announcement 6 of 6:

You can now book seats for animal shows! Booking portal opens 90 minutes before show time, and can only be accessed onsite. Find out more

  • Wildlife Reserves Singapore
  • Jurong Bird Park
  • Night Safari
  • River Safari
  • Get involved
  • Events and Venues
  • English
    • English
    • 简体中文
  • EN
    • EN
    • 简体中文
    • My memberships
    • Update Profile
    • Change Password
    • Logout
    • My memberships
    • Update Profile
    • Change Password
    • Logout
  • Search
icon

You're now logged out!

Buy tickets
Menu
Close
  • Plan your visit
    • Getting around Singapore Zoo
    • Singapore Zoo map
    • Getting here
    • Tips & Services
  • What's on
  • Animals & Zones
  • Things to do
    • Shows
    • Activities
    • Dine & shop
    • Park ProTips
  • Learning with us
    • Virtual Offerings
    • Resources
    • Mother Tongue Language Resources
    • Programmes & Activities
    • Prepare for your visit
  • Be a member
  • Buy tickets
  • Be a member
  • Plan your visit
    • Getting around Singapore Zoo
    • Singapore Zoo map
    • Getting here
    • Tips & Services
  • What's on
  • Animals & Zones
  • Things to do
    • Shows
    • Activities
    • Dine & shop
    • Park ProTips
  • Learning with us
    • Virtual Offerings
    • Resources
    • Mother Tongue Language Resources
    • Programmes & Activities
    • Prepare for your visit
  • Get involved
  • Events and Venues
Wildlife Reserves Singapore Group
  • bird-park
  • night-safari
  • river-safari
  • singapore-zoo
  • Singapore Zoo
  • Animals & Zones
  • Lion

Lion

Find me in
Wild Africa
  • Quick Facts
  • Get to Know
  • Protecting Wildlife
  • Visit Us

Quick facts

Lifespan

Lifespan

Up to 16 years for lionesses

Up to 12 years for lions

Diet

Diet

Large animals

like zebra and wildebeest

Habitat

Habitat

From open plains to thick brush

and dry thorn forests

Range

Range

Southern fringe of the Sahara

to northern South Africa

Share on

The lions

Working as a pride

Working as a pride

Lions live in social groups known as prides, made up of one or more mature males, several closely-related females and their young. Males roar and spray urine to advertise their territory to rivals. Females work in teams to take down prey, encircling the prey and blocking escape routes. The lionesses do most of the hunting but the dominant male gets the lion’s share. Only after he’s had his fill do the females have their turn. The young can only pick at the remains.
The mane concern

The mane concern

The only cat to sport one, the mane is believed to protect the lion’s throat from the bites of other males during territorial fights. Females prefer males with prominent dark manes, which are more likely to be stronger, more experienced males that would stay on with the pride and protect the females and their cubs for longer. Studies have confirmed that a heavy-maned lion signals health and strength to rival males, prompting them to think twice before challenging him.
Infanticide for a reason

Infanticide for a reason

Lions are running on a tight schedule when it comes to passing on their genes to the next generation. Females space out their births every two years but prides also typically change leadership every two years. Given the short timeframe, lions taking over a new pride would routinely kill all cubs so that females can come on heat quickly to breed. Some females may die defending their young but those that survive will be ready to mate with the new pride leaders in 2-3 weeks’ time. This is Nature’s way of `quality control’ to ensure that only strong individuals get to pass on their genes to maintain the health of the species.

Together, we protect wildlife

 Hunting the king

Hunting the king

To prove their hunting prowess, Maasai warriors slew lions and cut off their mane and tail. These are then passed to their womenfolk for beading. The mane was worn during special occasions and the tail kept in the warrior’s camp. This ancient practice and all lion hunting are now banned in East Africa.

The IUCN Status

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

DD

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

LC

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

EW

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

EX

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

Visit us

photo
50¢ from every ticket purchased goes towards wildlife conservation in the region
Singapore Zoo
Buy Now

You might also like

Zebra
Zebra
Cheetah
Cheetah
Giraffe
Giraffe
Animal Friends Show
Animal Friends Show
Wildlife Reserves Singapore Group
  • Jurong Bird Park
  • Night Safari
  • River Safari
  • Singapore Zoo

Need help?

  • Contact us
  • FAQ
  • Temporary closures

About us

  • About Singapore Zoo
  • About Wildlife Reserves Singapore
  • Our policies

Events and Venues

  • Plan an event
  • View venues

Get involved

  • Partner with us

Careers

  • We're hiring!

Press

  • Press room

Opening hours

8.30am - 6.00pm (Last entry at 5.00pm)

We're open every day of the year.

Address

80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826

Follow us

© Copyright 2020, Wildlife Reserves Singapore Group. All rights reserved.

Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari, Singapore Zoo and Wildlife Reserves Singapore are trademarks or registered trademarks of WRS Group in Singapore and/or other countries.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Data protection policy