Do lions live in the jungle?

Lions are grassland animals, and although they may live in drier forests and shrubby areas, they generally do not live in jungle or rain forest habitats. The optimal habitat for a lion is the savannah, flat plains characterized by tall grass for cover.

The only jungle or rain forest in the world where lions are known to live is the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in Ethiopia. They were first documented there in 2012. Aside from this small population, most lions live on the open plain or in mixed habitats with a combination of shrubs, trees and tall grass. Some lions also live in highland areas, such as Ethiopia's Bale Mountains.