Not only is the lion the king of the jungle and one of the most beloved animals in existence, it’s also the inspiration for many beloved movies like The Lion King. Lions are the second largest big cats, smaller than tigers. However, like many of their animal themes, lions need to excrete waste to survive. Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about lion poop.
Lion: King of the Jungle

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Lions are top predators at the top of the food chain. They are called the kings of the jungle because they dominate their surroundings, not necessarily because they are the strongest animals. Elephants, for example, are stronger than these ferocious mammals. However, regardless of the size and strength of the elephant, members of the pride will still band together to take on the elephant. Lions are also the only big cats known to live in social groups of up to 30 individuals.
The bite force of these animals is estimated at 650 PSI, which is about 4 times the maximum bite force of 174 PSI in humans. While other animals, such as the great white shark, have a higher bite force of up to 4,000 PSI, few animals can match the intense rage and strength that a lion exudes. When the lion roars, it can be heard five miles away. There is more to this rant. It is not only a warning to intruders, but also a sign of power and dominance.
These vicious felines can kick up to 400 pounds, making them one of the strongest animals in existence. However, lions also have more in common with domestic cats than you might think. They groom themselves for social situations and sleep long hours—sometimes as much as 16 to 20 hours. Lions also have the same papillae as cats on their tongues, giving them a tingling licking sensation. Lions, however, are stronger and can scrape off meat.
What do lions eat?

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Lions are carnivores and eat all kinds of meat and meat. They hunt all kinds of medium and large animals. Some common prey for lions are cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, wild boars, rabbits, rodents, and even rhinos. Lions may hunt alone or in pride, but often hunt in groups to hunt larger animals. They also drink water from streams and other freshwater bodies they can find. In fact, if anything, they drink more often than they eat.
What does lion poop look like?

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Lion poop is as big as people think, but there’s a lot of stuff mixed in. It consists mainly of solid matter and may have a white residue mixed with the solid portion. The white residue is calcium and indicates the health of the animal.
There are also lots of bones and fur in the lion droppings, which are the feces of animals it has eaten recently. The runny, or watery, portion of a lion’s poop comes from the blood and muscles of the animals it has eaten. Lion droppings are easier to distinguish from other animals because of the size and the obvious difference in the droppings.
Do Lions Eat Their Own Poop?

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While there are no records of lions eating their own droppings, it’s possible they did so because they ate the droppings of other animals, such as buffaloes. Many animals will eat their poop if they feel the nutrients are not being digested well.
Is lion droppings poisonous to humans?

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Because lions feed on other animals, their droppings must contain bacteria that could endanger humans. People who handle lion droppings don’t touch it with their hands. They wear disposable gloves.
Does lion poop matter?
According to the Smithsonian Zoo, feces is one of the main ways lion keepers use to monitor health and meet dietary needs. However, since there are multiple lions in the zoo, it can be difficult to tell which poop belongs to which lion. As a result, zookeepers often add edible glitter of various colors to lions’ food. That way, they were able to match each poop pile with the correct specimen based on color.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.