Lions are the top predators in Africa, and most animals they encounter pose no threat to these giant cats. This video, taken in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, shows two male lions attacking a lion that had strayed too far. Lions are very territorial and this video perfectly illustrates what can happen when a lion enters the wrong territory.
At first, two lions chased and attacked the lone nomadic male. They growl, bite, and wrestle the lone male until he thinks he’s had enough. Instead of running away or backing down, the lone lion decided to hold his ground. After not flinching, the two big lions decided they had had enough.
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pride of lions
Lions are the only big cats on Earth that live in large families, known as prides. Other felines have solitary lifestyles. A pride consists of 3 to 30 lions, and the head of the family is a mighty male. A place with more food means a greater capacity for pride of scale. The families were mostly females and they were young, with only a few male lions present. Male lion cubs leave their pride when they are around 3 to 5 years old.
Males are able to start their own pride by outdoing the leader of the group, but mostly leave. Groups of male lions are not called prides, but alliances. The nomadic lifestyle of a solitary male lion is harsh, but forming alliances with other male lions can increase their chances of survival. These male lion prides range in size from two to seven members and consist of brothers, cousins, and even unrelated lions.
How do Leos communicate?
Lions communicate by roaring, grunting and hissing, and can even meow like small house cats. In the video, the lions are seen defending their territory. Peeing and rubbing scents on nearby vegetation is how lions mark their territory. Lions use their sense of smell and smell to communicate with other nearby lions. Scent glands are located on the paws, tail, chin, cheeks and whiskers of these cats and allow them to emit their scent.
The lion in the video had the bad luck to break into the territory of the coalition forces. Even though he is outnumbered, this lion is still able to hold his own and communicate to other lions that he is not to be messed with. Lions are extremely dangerous animals and are the top apex predators in Africa. Living in a family makes it easier for lions to survive the dangerous animals they encounter. If it weren’t for the pride, male lions would be in a much more difficult position, and getting into the wrong area could mean a fight for their lives.
Next:
- Watch a pride of 18 lions attack rhinos, zebras and buffalo
- Lion Predators: What Eats Lions?
- Types of Lions: Every Lion Species and Lower Classifications
- Watch a cheetah face off with an adult lion
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
