lion, (Panthera leo), large, powerfully built cat (family Felidae) that is second in size only to the tiger. The proverbial “king of beasts,” the lion has been one of the best-known wild animals since earliest times. Lions are most active at night and live in a variety of habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland.
Capable of going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds, the cheetah is considered the fastest land animal, though it is able to maintain such speeds only for short distances. Lions are also quite fast when hunting prey, with a top speed of about 50 miles per hour.
They typically feed on weak or wound prey, but if a lion gets close enough, it can quickly pounce and strike out at the horse and catch it. Lions may not be as fast as cheetahs, but they are very fast nonetheless. Lions can run as fast as 50 mph. Cheetahs are faster, but lions are stronger.
