Lions are majestic animals that have captivated humans for centuries. Their strength, agility and raw power have made them symbols of courage and nobility. Lions also make for great subjects of riddles! Here are 57 riddles that cover fascinating lion facts, play with lion imagery and challenge your wits. See how many you can get right!
Easy lion riddles
Let’s start with some easier riddles that play with lion imagery and characteristics:
Riddle 1
I am not really a man, but I am known as the king of the jungle. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 2
I have a loud roar and a mane of hair. I am big and strong with claws so beware! What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 3
With jaws so strong and teeth so sharp, I can take down prey with just one swipe! I rule the plains and grasslands too, there’s no mistake, I’m the king – that’s true! What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 4
My fur is tawny gold, my mane attracts a mate. I’m fastest runner on four feet, the king of beasts is my fate. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 5
I sleep through the day, then at night I hunt and play. With mighty paws and jaws so strong, I roar out loud and prowl along. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
How are you doing with the easy lion riddles so far? Lions make for great riddle topics because their recognizable features like the mane and roar are so iconic. Let’s move on to some slightly trickier riddles next!
Intermediate lion riddles
These middle-level lion riddles rely more on wordplay and lateral thinking, so read carefully!
Riddle 6
Adam was the first man on earth, but I am first in my kingdom. Who am I?
Answer: A lion (the king of the jungle).
Riddle 7
I am an animal named after a place. I have a shaggy mane and a loud roar. Who am I?
Answer: A lion (named for the area lions used to inhabit called Lydia).
Riddle 8
When I am born, I have no voice. But as I grow, my voice grows strong. And with my mighty roar, I rule over the land all lifelong. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 9
I stalk my prey in cover of night, ready to pounce with all my might. With one quick swipe of my sturdy paw, I claim my meal in the jungle raw. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 10
My mane and tail tip are black as night. My future mate I have to fight. My roar can chill you to the bone. I prowl the plains, but never alone. What am I?
Answer: A male lion.
How are the trickier riddles going? Lions have some unique characteristics that make for great puzzle clues. Next up are some real brain teasers!
Hard lion riddles
Think logically and use all your lion knowledge for these tough but fun riddles:
Riddle 11
The one who makes it, sells it. The one who buys it, never uses it. The one that uses it never knows that he’s using it. What is it?
Answer: A coffin.
Riddle 12
What belongs to you but other people use it more than you?
Answer: Your name.
Riddle 13
What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel.
Riddle 14
What can travel all around the world without leaving its corner?
Answer: A postage stamp.
Riddle 15
What has many keys but can’t open a single lock?
Answer: A piano.
Okay, those were not lion riddles at all! But I wanted to mix in some general brain teasers to keep you sharp. Back to the lion riddles now.
Riddle 16
In ancient Rome I was worshipped for my fierceness. Today you’ll find me on many flags, banners and coats of arms. My image represents courage, valor and strength. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 17
With belly full, I lounge and rest, beneath the shade in the heat of the day. Then when it’s dark, I’m at my best, to hunt, to chase, to roar, to play. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 18
My ancestors were once roaming and free, from Africa to Greece to Rome they sailed. But that was long ago, before guns and cars, now my kind is jailed. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 19
Gold of pelt and emerald of eye, I’m the king of the grasslands far and wide. With mighty roar and graceful lope, through the tall grasses I dash and scope. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 20
My furry mane and regal gate, mark me king – the ruling great. But now in zoos I sit and wait, no more free to hunt or roam, just a captive far from home. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
How did you fare with those tough lion brainteasers? The history and symbolism of lions can make for some great riddles. Up next are riddles based on fascinating lion facts!
Lion fact riddles
Let’s see how many fascinating lion facts you know through these tricky riddles:
Riddle 21
We work together to catch our prey, the lionesses hunt while the males stray. Who are we?
Answer: Lionesses (they do most of the hunting).
Riddle 22
When lions mate, they can copulate up to ____ times per hour.
Answer: 40-50.
Riddle 23
A lion’s roar can be heard up to ____ miles away.
Answer: 5-6.
Riddle 24
A lioness can give birth to up to ____ cubs per litter.
Answer: 6.
Riddle 25
Lions spend about ____ hours per day resting and sleeping.
Answer: 20.
Riddle 26
Male lions defend territories that average ____ square miles in size.
Answer: 100.
Riddle 27
Lions can reach running speeds up to ____ miles per hour.
Answer: 50.
Riddle 28
A lion’s heels don’t touch the ground when it _____.
Answer: Walks.
Riddle 29
Lions can jump ____ feet forward in a single leap.
Answer: 36.
Riddle 30
Lions spend between ____ and ____ hours per day active and hunting.
Answer: 2-4.
How many lion facts did you know? Their unique abilities and behaviors make lions endlessly fascinating. Here are some more brain busting riddles next.
Really hard lion riddles
Get your thinking caps on for these really tough but fun lion riddles:
Riddle 31
The more you have of me, the less you can see. What am I?
Answer: Darkness.
Riddle 32
What gets broken without being held?
Answer: A promise.
Riddle 33
What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Answer: Your name.
Riddle 34
I have branches but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I?
Answer: A bank.
Riddle 35
What can you catch but never throw?
Answer: A cold.
Tough riddles! But they’re great brain teasers. Back to the lions now:
Riddle 36
My sight and smell help me hunt day and night. My speed and power help me win every fight. My mighty jaws and sharpened claws, make me the king with strongest paws. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 37
With a swish of my tail and a gleam in my eye, I stalk my prey until the time feels right. And with lightning speed I pounce and bite, to claim my meal in the jungle tonight. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 38
The hunter becomes the hunted, when it’s man versus me. For I am the king of the wild beasts, and I gobble up humans for tea! What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 39
My furry mane may seem inviting, but my jaws are strong and my claws are frightening! I rule the plains and grassy lands, all creatures know my fierce commands. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 40
I sleep all day and prowl all night, the plains and jungles are my right. With powerful legs I leap and bound, and with one swipe take my prey to the ground. What am I?
Answer: A lion.
Fantastic! You made it through the really hard lion riddles. Just a few more fun ones to go.
Funny lion riddles
Here are some silly lion riddles to end on a light note:
Riddle 41
What do you call a lion who chases camels across the desert?
Answer: A chameleon!
Riddle 42
Which big cat should you never play cards with?
Answer: A cheetah!
Riddle 43
What do you get if you cross a lion with a sheep?
Answer: A lamb chop!
Riddle 44
What do lions use to call their friends?
Answer: A roar-y line!
Riddle 45
Where do lions eat breakfast?
Answer: At the roaree!
Groan! But funny lion riddles are always popular. Here are the final few fun ones.
Riddle 46
What did the lion say when it heard a funny joke?
Answer: Roar roar roar!
Riddle 47
Why don’t lions like fast food?
Answer: Because they can’t catch it!
Riddle 48
How do lions greet each other?
Answer: Paws-itively!
Riddle 49
Which lions never roar?
Answer: Dandelions!
Riddle 50
Where do lions store their money?
Answer: In tiger banks!
Hope you had fun with those silly lion jokes and riddles! Let’s move on to the final set.
Rhyming lion riddles
Lastly, here are some rhyming riddles that use clever wordplay:
Riddle 51
With a growl and a roar I prowl round the floor, With two big eyes and a mane of great size, No one else here has one, now tell me dear son, What kind of beast could this possibly be?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 52
As I walk on all fours, I patrol and I roar, With two pointy ears and whiskers so near, In the jungle I dwell, now answer me well, What animal could I possibly be?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 53
I live in the wild, running free as a child, My mouth opens wide with fangs inside, I hunt and I play the live-long day, What do they call me, can you say?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 54
My fur is a golden hue, in the sun it shines right through, With a scruffy mane and feline frame, I’m the king of the beasts, I rule all the least, Do you know now who I just might be?
Answer: A lion.
Riddle 55
I creep and I crawl on cat-like paws, Hunting prey with pointy claws, With a growl and a roar I charge cross the moor, I’m the king of the jungle, now tell me who?
Answer: A lion!
Rhyming riddles are so catchy and fun. The last two now:
Riddle 56
With sandy fur and eyes that blur, I lounge in the heat, resting my feet, Then I roam through the night, prowling in sight, Searching for food – take a guess, who might I be?
Answer: A lion!
Riddle 57
My mane it does flow, golden like a sunset glow, On four sturdy paws I stalk and I maul, I’m the king of the plains, I rule and I reign, My identity’s clear as the light of day!
Answer: A lion!
Conclusion
How many of these 57 lion riddles could you solve? Lions make for incredibly fun riddle topics, with their regal status, iconic features and fascinating behaviors. Riddles are great brain teasers for all ages, and these lion puzzles range from easy kid riddles to ones adults will find challenging. What other animals make good riddle subjects? Try coming up with your own! However many you solved, hopefully you enjoyed these lion riddles and learned some new things along the way.
