A lion is six feet long. Its habitat is in open grassland. Their diet consists of gazelle, antelope, zebra, giraffe and buffalo. It lives in Africa just south of the Sahara. Its scientific name is Panthera leo. A lion has powerful legs. The mane means male. The lion is a pack hunter and hunts for food. A female lion is called a lioness. Lions are part of the cat family. The lion is in danger.