Lions have many unique and surprising characteristics. Their rarity, their strength and the way they follow their life cycle make them a very exclusive species. The lion is the largest of the African carnivores and the largest feline of the cat family. It is a light brown, sandy color and male lions have hair around their neck, known as a mane. A lion's mane can range from black to light brown. The mane makes it very easy to identify a male lioness from a male lion, as females do not have manes, but the larger size of the male lion compared to female lionesses also makes it easy to identify males from females. Adult male lions can range from 9 to 10 feet in length, including a 3-foot tail, and weigh between 400 and 500 pounds. An adult lioness can be 4 to 5 feet long, about 3 feet tall, and weigh between 265 and 395 pounds. That means being the size of a male lion! Lionesses live longer than male lions. The Serengeti lioness can live up to 18 years, while a male lion can typically live up to 12 years! A pride is a group of lions, generally consisting of around 15 lions, but can number up to around 30 or even more lions. Between the ages of two and four, male lions leave their pride. Some male puppies born together will remain together for life. However, most male coalitions are not related by blood. Especially because males can meet up with other independent males during their solitary years. Nearly 2/3 of all male lion pairs and nearly half of all trios contain unrelated partners. Coalitions can contain up to nine males and within the coalition it is every male for himself. For male lions who have the largest coalition, they are... halfway... a way to stay that long, but sometimes they are forced out as early as 13-20 months. Females remain with their natal pack most of the time, although some disperse and form new packs. Although male lions are physically capable of breeding at 30 months and females at 24 months, they generally do not breed successfully until pride membership has been firmly established. In captivity, lions can live 25-30 years. Lions are truly extraordinary creatures, as well as interesting. They have very unique lifestyles, habits and ways of living. Works Cited http://www.lionlamb.us/lion/lionfact.html http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/bnfl/908/id24.htm http:/ /www.lionking.org/~sichi/lion .htmhttp://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/lion-information.htmlhttp://www.barbarylion.com/LionInfo.htmhttp://wiki.answers. com/Q/How_big_do_male_lions_and_female_get