Jezebel: Lions

Do Big Cats Purr As They Snuggle You to Death?

Doug Barry — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST

On a day when the rest of America is drunk on puppy, we should remind ourselves that the wide world is full of genuine cuddle monsters and that scientists have finally answered the baffling mystery that you probably think about on an average of 4.6 times a day without even realizing it: Do big cats purr? Maybe? Zoologists are giving a collective shrug on this one because there's still some disagreement as to what constitutes a purr and why, exactly, cats purr (and something about an important-sounding hyoid bone that I didn't pay attention to because the happy kitties distracted me). Purring is an involuntary reflex and, in addition to pleasure purrs, cats purr for such macabre reasons as traumatic injury or approaching death. Think about that the next time your tabby is curled up on your lap, purring softly, and you have the urge to congratulate yourself on your deep, abiding kinship with the animal kingdom. So purring remains a mystery, which means two things: science needs to take some risks by sending zoo interns into the big cat enclosures with over-sized cat toys, and until we have definitive proof that tigers don't purr, there's still hope that we can all have pet Rajahs. More »

3-Year-Old Girl Encounters Angry Lion, Doesn't Give a Fuck

Madeleine Davies — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:40:00 EST

Exotic Animal Owner Found Dead, Chained To Waterbed

Anna North — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:40:00 EDT

Well, here's the weirdest news story of today: an Ohio man was found asphyxiated in his bedroom, and now his friends have to figure out what to do with his lion. More »

Incredibly Devoted Wildlife Activist To Live With Lions For 30 Days

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:03:00 EST

James Jablon says he'll spend the next month living with two African lions in an attempt to raise money for a Florida wildlife rehabilitation center. Jablon says he'll eat whatever the lions eat, assuming he isn't on the menu. More »

I Can Has Gazelle?

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:05:00 EST

Washington, DC, December 18: Two of the seven lion cubs born at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington chase each othe during the cubs' public debut. Image via AP

Cub Makes Like A Sea Lion

Margaret Hartmann — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:12:00 EDT

[Washington, October 26: An eight-week-old female lion takes a swim test at the National Zoo. The test was to make sure the four cubs will be safe around the water feature when they're put on public display. Image via AP.]

The Belly Of The Beast

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:10:00 EDT

[Paradise Valley Springs, New Zealand; June 3. Image via Splash]

TGIF

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:50:00 EDT

[Serbia, May 7. Image via AP.]

TGIF

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:50:00 EDT

[Image by Wildlife Conservation Society via Zooborns]

Happy Hump Day!

Dodai Stewart — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:50:00 EST

[Bristol, February 2. Images via Getty.]

TGIF

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:50:00 EDT

[London, August 13. Image via Getty.]

Sarah Palin Unhappy With Intimate Biography • Fox Cub Prefers Human Company

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:20:00 EST

• Governor Sarah Palin is speaking out against the "fantasies" published in the newly released "Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin." Her camp has accused author Lorenzo Benet of practicing "bad journalism." • More »

Police Hold Goat On Suspicion Of Robbery • Caylee Anthony's Grandfather: Suicidal?

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST

• Police in Nigeria are holding a goat in custody on suspicion of attempted armed robbery. Vigilantes turned the beast in, claiming it was a robber who used black magic to transform himself. • More »

Dutch Girl Watches A Lion In Winter

Anna Holmes — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:10:00 EST

[Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands; December 26. Image via Getty]

Christian The Lion: The Movie • UK Begins HPV Vaccine Program In Earnest

Maria — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:20:00 EDT

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Sony Pictures is currently in the process of securing the life-story rights of John Rendall and Anthony Bourke (stars of the Christian: The Lion YouTube video) to make a feature film about their feline friend. • Britain has started a nationwide HPV vaccine program that will target 600,000 girls, beginning at the age of 12. • A new charter school in Philadelphia called Boys' Latin has sparked a local debate about the effectiveness of same-sex schooling and if same-sex schooling should be allowed in the public school system. • The total weight of all of the fashion magazine's September issues this year? 21 pounds (about 18 pounds down from last year). • More »

TGIATDW

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:50:00 EDT