Of all felines, only lions unite in social groups. The pride consists of 2-18 lionesses and several lions, one of which is necessarily the head of the entire large family. All these individuals are usually close relatives, having their own specific territory.
Who's the boss?
Lionesses, unlike lions, do not establish any hierarchical system among themselves. Another thing is males, among them there is one most important and strongest lion, whose leadership qualities other males have no right to challenge. A pride of lions (you can see a photo of the lion family below) always has only one leader.
The dominant male has a number of advantages: he is the first to dine after a successful hunt, he is the first to mate with females during estrus and the first to attack the enemy who invaded the territory of the pride.
Quite often, young lions begin to apply for the post of head of the family. The pride, as a rule, expels such males at the age of 2-2.5 years. Such individuals can create their own pride or live in splendid isolation. However, it also happensso that male brothers begin to live in a small group without females. Often, young single males, not burdened with the protection of cubs and other members of the group, begin to seize someone else's territory and lure several females there. If a lion captures a pride, then the first thing he does is kill all the cubs. Females, unfortunately, rarely manage to save their cubs; only one-year-old lions have a chance to survive. The pride, after the expulsion of the former leader and the elimination of all cubs, is headed by a new young lion.
Lionesses who have lost their babies go into heat again in 2-3 weeks. Thus, the new leader will quickly be able to get his own offspring. Infanticide or killing of cubs from the former dominant male is a very cruel, but at the same time a necessary measure. After all, if you do not eliminate the little lion cubs, then the new leader will be able to get his own children no earlier than in 2 years. Since the leaders of the lion group are replaced every 2-3 years, he simply will not have time to produce and raise his offspring.
Pride Benefits
Lions live in prides mainly to increase their chances while hunting. Naturally, in a group, lions are more likely to get large prey (for example, buffalo or antelope). In addition, life in a group allows lions to protect the half-eaten corpse from scavengers and spotted hyenas.
Pride also performs a protective function. Females in most cases give birth at the same time, living in a community allows them to jointly feed and protect the cubs. Oftensituations are also observed when stray lions can come to the territory of the community. Pride immediately begins to jointly defend the little lion cubs. With the members of their pride, lions are very courteous and affectionate, during the greeting they always rub their muzzles.
On the other hand, a lion in a pride always has less food than if he lived alone. But even with this fact, living in a community is much safer for lions.
