Tree-climbing Lion

Description:

The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the five big cats in the genus Panthera and a member of the family Felidae. In the really hot weather these lions climb trees, but the day we went was slightly overcast and cooler, so they were snoozing under some trees. We found them right beside the Ishasha airstrip.

Habitat:

savanna and grassland

Notes:

It is believed that these lions climb trees in order to get away from tsetse flies (large flies with a nasty bite). Lions also tend to climb tees to enjoy a cool breeze. Tree-climbing lions aren't very common. While cubs climb trees for fun, adult lions rarely do, except in some Tanzanian parks and Ugandan parks.