Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
What in the world — or rather, what in Africa — happened to cause such a reduction in the size of
lion country? Why did it happen? And what is the significance? I do not really expect you to have the
answers at your fingertips. But take a few moments again, and this time see if you can't come up with
some possible reasons as to why lions live where the map says that they do, and why lion country has
decreased so substantially.
Where lions hang out
Firstofall, wheredolionslive? No,I'mnotaskingyouforastreet address; butrather,inwhatkindof
environment do lions tend to hang out? Here are a few choices of where your average well-adjusted
lion might live:
In a forest
In a desert
In the mountains
In a grassland
Anywhere it darn well pleases
Although the last choice has considerable merit, the best response is “in a grassland.” Lions generally
live in grasslands. You may have known the answer because just about everybody has seen a TV
wildlife documentary, which, in graphic detail, shows lions killing their next meal and then eating it.
But just in case, next time you see one of those programs, concentrate on the physical setting instead
of the kill. That's right, skip the build-up . . . the eyeing of the herd . . . the stalk . . . the chase .
. . the cute little impala meeting its untimely end. Instead, focus your attention on the surrounding
countryside, and what you are bound to see is that this life and death drama is playing out on what is
essentially an extensive grassland.
What gives with grasslands?
But what gives with grasslands? Or rather, why do lions choose to inhabit grasslands? Here are a few
choices as to why lions live in grasslands:
Green is their favorite color.
That's where those cute little impalas live.
They got into grass while they were in college.
