Lions herd near rivers for several key reasons: rivers provide a vital water source, prey animals gather near waterholes making hunting easier, and the vegetation and water help lions stay cool and hidden while ambushing prey. Lions live in social groups called prides typically made up of related females and offspring, and occasionally joined by males. They are found in grasslands, savannas, forests and more, adapting to different environments. Lions are carnivorous predators that primarily hunt large mammals like wildebeests and zebras, with lionesses doing most of the hunting. They communicate through roars, body language and scent marking.