Why lions rub heads to say hi

Hi! Lions are big cats. When lions want to say hello, they often rub their heads and cheeks together.

1. They sniff first — lions use their noses to learn who is who.
2. They rub heads — rubbing their cheeks and foreheads mixes their smells. This says they belong to the same group.
3. It shows they are friends — head rubbing is a friendly way to say I like you and you are part of my pride.
4. They stay close after — after rubbing they might purr, lick, or lie down together to rest.

Fun fact: Your pet cat does this too when it rubs its head on you!

Safety note: Lions are wild animals. Never try to touch a lion. If you see lions at the zoo, always stay with a grown-up and follow the rules.