pronouns

[daisy1352]

For "lion" and "lioness" do we use "it" or we can use "he" and "she"?
Thanks

[Harry Smith]

For "lion" and "lioness" do we use "it" or we can use "he" and "she"?
Thanks

Usually we use "it" for animals. but here for lion and lioness we should say "he" and "she".

[zeryphex]

For "lion" and "lioness" do we use "it" or we can use "he" and "she"?
Thanks

It's pretty much implied that a lion is a "he," and a lioness is a "she," but the average American will also use "it" if the American is lazy and doesn't want to pay attention to detail since most animals have a male and a female in the species. Using "he," "she," or "it" in everyday speech would be fine, however. We can't always determine the gender/sex of an animal when we want to speak about it briefly then move-on to a different topic in conversation. If the conversation is a bit more detailed on the animal or animals in general, and the gender(s)/sex(es) can be determined, then it'd be more proper or fitting to use "he" or "she."