Lion on a Cliff Above the Plains

About this drawing

A lion on a cliff or rocky outcrop is a common sight in Tanzania's Serengeti, where islands of granite rise out of a sea of grass. Locally these formations are known as kopjes, pronounced like "copies." The word comes from Dutch and means "little head," which fits those rounded humps poking up on the horizon.

The rock itself is ancient. Softer ground around it wore away over a very long time, leaving piles of smooth boulders and deep cracks behind. On plains with few trees, any high ground is valuable. Rain collects in the hollows, plants take root in the shade, and all kinds of animals treat a kopje as a small oasis.

Lions get plenty out of these spots. Start with the view. From the top, a lion can follow distant herds and keep an eye out for rivals. Then there's the comfort factor. A breeze blows across the high rocks, and shady gaps between boulders offer an escape from the midday heat.

Kopjes make good hiding places too. Lionesses tuck newborn cubs into their crevices for the first weeks of life, out of sight of hyenas and other predators. Researchers working in the Serengeti have noticed that these outcrops often sit inside the territories held by local prides.

• lion
• serengeti
• savanna
• cliff
• acacia trees