How fast are lions?

Lions can run up to a top speed of around 37 mph, which is 10 mph faster than the fastest human runners. Lions cannot maintain this pace for more than 300 to 600 feet because of their large size.

Lions only use the energy that is required to reach such a speed when they are hunting prey. Their low stamina forces them to stalk their prey and ambush it instead of chasing it. The high-speed chasing is saved for the end of the stalk, when the lion is closest to its prey. Female lions are slightly faster than the males and do most of the hunting.