Of all the animals of the earth, the
lion is one of the most intriguing. As a
fierce and powerful predator,
it is one of the dominating animals of the
African savannas and
great plains. The lion is distinguished by its strong
body, cooperative
hunting skills, ferocious attack, and mighty roar.
Lions hunt mostly under the cover of darkness, when it is easier
to move
within striking distance of unsuspecting prey. It is common
for lions to watch
their prey during daylight, usually just before
sunset, and then wait patiently
until dark before making the kill.
More than any of the senses, sight is all important to lions as
hunters. Like
all cats, they have excellent vision, both in full
daylight and in almost total
darkness. As a lion slowly stalks
its prey · freezing one moment, then
creeping forward the next · the
eyes are constantly fixed on the path and
the victim. |