African Lion

VU Carnivore Grasslands, Savannas
120–250 kg
Weight
10–14 yrs
Lifespan
80 km/h
Top Speed
Africa
Found In

Endemic to Africa, the African Lion is a carnivore species inhabiting grasslands, savannas habitats. Weighing 120–250 kg, it is classified as Vulnerable.

Physical Characteristics & Habitat

Size & Speed

Metric African Lion Carnivore Mammals Median Difference
Weight 185 kg 50 kg ↑ 270%
Height 95 cm
Top Speed 80 km/h 48 km/h ↑ 67%
Avg Speed 58 km/h
Weight (kg)185avg 50Speed (km/h)80avg 48Lifespan (yrs)12avg 12.5

Habitat & Distribution

The African Lion inhabits grasslands, savannas habitats. It can be found in Africa.

Typical coloring: Tan.

Diet & Predators

Diet: Carnivore
Predators: Hyenas, Crocodiles

Behavior & Reproduction

Social Structure

The African Lion is a group-based species belonging to the Felidae family.

Reproduction

Gestation Period: 98–105 days
Offspring per Birth: 2-4 (usually)
Lifespan: 10–14 years

Conservation & Comparison

IUCN Conservation Status

VU The African Lion is classified as Vulnerable. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.

Species Comparison

Among 32 carnivore mammals, the African Lion’s weight of 120–250 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 50 kg.

Weight rank: #14 of 34 Vulnerable species.

# Species Weight Status
1 Sperm Whale Up to 57000 kg VU
2 African Elephant 2700–6000 kg VU
3 Great White Shark Up to 2268 kg VU
4 Hippopotamus 1300–3200 kg VU
5 Gaur 600–1300 kg VU

Related Species

How much does a African Lion weigh?

A African Lion typically weighs 120–250 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 50 kg among carnivore mammals.

What is the conservation status of the African Lion?

The African Lion is classified as “Vulnerable”. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.

Where does the African Lion live?

The African Lion is found in Africa, in grasslands, savannas habitats.

How does the African Lion reproduce?

The African Lion has a gestation period of 98–105 days and typically produces 2-4 (usually) offspring per birth.

Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.

Last Updated: April 10, 2026