Living in the grasslands, scrub, and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, the lion is the second largest cat in the world. It is dwarfed slightly by the tiger, which is closely related and has a very similar body type.

Unlike other cats, lions are very social animals. They live in groups, called prides, of around 30 lions. A pride consists of up to three males, a dozen related females, and their young. The size of the pride is determined by the availability of food and water. If resources are scarce, the pride becomes smaller. 

 

gh a bald eagle is less than 4 feet tall, its wings more than make up for it—they span from 5.5 to 8 feet! And these birds know how to use them—a bald eagle can reach a speed of up to 200 miles per hour when diving through the air to grab a meal. These wings are really "in tune," because when a bald eagle loses a feather on one wing, it also loses a matching one on the other wing; this way the bird stays balanced.

Bald eagle call

The better to see you with

You may have heard someone say you have "eagle eyes." You should take it as a compliment, because it means you can see things that others might not notice. Bald eagles can see four to seven times better than humans. The bald eagle is also our national bird. But one great American, Benjamin Franklin, thought the bald eagle was a poor choice for a national symbol because it sometimes steals food from other birds.

Super builders

Bald eagles are master nest builders. An eagle pair usually makes a large nest high in a sturdy tree. They come back to the same nest year after year, adding more twigs, grass, moss, feathers, and branches each time until it becomes huge. The largest known eagle nest was found in Florida; it measured 9 feet across and 20 feet deep, and it weighed more than 2 tons! Sometimes a nest becomes so heavy that the branches supporting it break, and the nest comes crashing down! Then the eagle pair has to start all over again. 

Meat" the king of the lizards

Most lizards are omnivores, but not Komodo dragons. Meat is what they seek. Inside a Komodo dragon's mouth are about 60 short, sharp teeth that easily cut and tear flesh.

Skilled hunters

Komodo dragons use their long, forked tongues to pick up smells in the air. An adult Komodo dragon hides along a trail and waits for an unsuspecting creature to walk by; then it attacks with its sharp claws and dangerous teeth. 

Meat" the king of the lizards

Most lizards are omnivores, but not Komodo dragons. Meat is what they seek. Inside a Komodo dragon's mouth are about 60 short, sharp teeth that easily cut and tear flesh.

Skilled hunters

Komodo dragons use their long, forked tongues to pick up smells in the air. An adult Komodo dragon hides along a trail and waits for an unsuspecting creature to walk by; then it attacks with its sharp claws and dangerous teeth.