Panthera is phonetically similar to the Sanskrit word पाण्डर pând-ara meaning 'pale yellow, whitish, white'. The generic name Panthera is traceable to the classical Latin word 'panthēra' and the ancient Greek word πάνθηρ 'panther'. The word lavi ( Hebrew: לָבִיא) may also be related. The word 'lion' is derived from Latin: leo and Ancient Greek: λέων ( leon). Cultural depictions of lions were prominent in Ancient Egypt, and depictions have occurred in virtually all ancient and medieval cultures in the lion's historic and current range. Lions have been kept in menageries since the time of the Roman Empire and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoological gardens across the world since the late 18th century. One of the most widely recognised animal symbols in human culture, the lion has been extensively depicted in sculptures and paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary films and literature. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes for concern. Lion populations are untenable outside designated protected areas. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because populations in African countries have declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. During the Neolithic period, the lion ranged throughout Africa, Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, and Western and South Asia, but it has been reduced to fragmented populations in sub-Saharan Africa and one population in western India.
It is usually more diurnal than other wild cats, but when persecuted, it adapts to being active at night and at twilight. The lion inhabits grasslands, savannas, shrublands and dry deciduous forests. The lion is an apex and keystone predator although some lions scavenge when opportunities occur and have been known to hunt humans, the species typically does not. Groups of female lions usually hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. A lion's pride consists of a few adult males, related females, and cubs. It is a social species, forming groups called prides. It is sexually dimorphic adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. It has a muscular, deep-chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. The lion ( Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera native to Africa and India. Historical and present distribution of the lion in Africa, Asia and Europe
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