An authoritative, accessible, and gorgeously illustrated exploration
into the lives of these remarkable animals
Lions are the only social cat. They hunt together, raise cubs together,
and defend territories together against neighbors and strangers. Lions
also rest atop their ecological pyramid, with profound impacts on
competitors and prey alike, but their future is far from assured. Craig
Packer interweaves his discoveries from more than forty years of
research--including a substantial body of new findings--to provide an
unforgettable portrait of the African lion. He shares insights into the
intricacies of lion life from birth until death and describes efforts to
conserve lions in an increasingly crowded continent. With a wealth of
breathtaking photographs by Daniel Rosengren, The Lion sheds light on
a host of intriguing scientific questions, such as why males have manes,
why lions are social, how sociality limits and stabilizes lion
populations, how close inbreeding affects lion health, why lions become
man-eaters, how lions and people can best be protected from each other,
and how to ensure the lion's survival into the next century.
- Engagingly written by the world's foremost expert on African lions
- Integrates a wealth of findings from two of the most comprehensive
field studies on any animal
- Features hundreds of stunning photographs that capture a broad range
of lion behaviors, ecological interactions, and conservation
challenges
- Blends vivid field anecdotes and graphics to give the reader a sense
of adventuring into the lion's world
