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yesterday was WORLD LION DAY
so here's some poasts about these magnificent creatures
so here's some poasts about these magnificent creatures
as most of us know, the population of wild lions has been in decline for a while
habitat loss and poaching are their two biggest threats https://twitter.com/illiteralworst/status/1147144108730912768
habitat loss and poaching are their two biggest threats https://twitter.com/illiteralworst/status/1147144108730912768
some lion groups are quite famous
the mapogos, a coalition that roamed the sabi sand area of africa's kruger national park, were particularly notable.
the mapogos, a coalition that roamed the sabi sand area of africa's kruger national park, were particularly notable.
a thoroughly vicious group of six males, they dominated a territory of nearly 170,000 acres & are thought to have killed ~100 other lions in just one year!
the climactic story of two of the brothers, Mr T and Kinky Tail, is one for the ages.
the climactic story of two of the brothers, Mr T and Kinky Tail, is one for the ages.
lions have the loudest roar of any big cat and can reach up to 115 db (just below the threshold of human pain) at 1 meter, which would carry the sound up to 5 miles!
they use it mostly to signal their location and current territory
they use it mostly to signal their location and current territory
interestingly, though, i think they also may use it to express emotion
these two lionesses roar together, as one of them is struck with terminal cancer
she would die just a short time later https://twitter.com/illiteralworst/status/1207190545392496641
these two lionesses roar together, as one of them is struck with terminal cancer
she would die just a short time later https://twitter.com/illiteralworst/status/1207190545392496641
lion socialization is unique among big cats, as most prefer a solitary life, only hanging around to mate and produce offspring.
groups of female lions and/or mixed groups are called "prides". groups of males are called "coalitions".
prides average ~15 members, coalitions ~4
groups of female lions and/or mixed groups are called "prides". groups of males are called "coalitions".
prides average ~15 members, coalitions ~4
lion life is hard.
lionesses have litters of 2-3 cubs, and in total, less than 50% of all cubs reach adulthood.
it's not just predators & disease that takes them, but infanticide is a big part of the lion reality
both males AND females will kill cubs, even their own.
lionesses have litters of 2-3 cubs, and in total, less than 50% of all cubs reach adulthood.
it's not just predators & disease that takes them, but infanticide is a big part of the lion reality
both males AND females will kill cubs, even their own.
lions don't graze. they eat flesh and meat because they have to.
they are obligate carnivores, and as such lack a few special abilities - such as synthesizing amino acids to produce necessary protein.
their honed hunting skills are necessary for survival.
they are obligate carnivores, and as such lack a few special abilities - such as synthesizing amino acids to produce necessary protein.
their honed hunting skills are necessary for survival.
it's long been thought females do most of the hunting, and that's probably still true...
but research has shown males do work for food, too https://www.pri.org/stories/2013-03-19/male-lions-new-study-shows-how-they-hunt
but research has shown males do work for food, too https://www.pri.org/stories/2013-03-19/male-lions-new-study-shows-how-they-hunt
w/ hunting integral to lion survival, it has been extremely difficult to reintroduce those in captivity to the wild
they lack both the skill to hunt successfully and the social structure necessary for a prolonged life.
but!
some progress is being made
https://lionalert.org/lion-release-program/
they lack both the skill to hunt successfully and the social structure necessary for a prolonged life.
but!
some progress is being made
https://lionalert.org/lion-release-program/
truly, a double pronged strategy of habitat conservation and reintroduction may be our best - only - hope to see these animals walk the planet for another 100 years
everything i can cross is crossed in the hope that we can pull it off.
everything i can cross is crossed in the hope that we can pull it off.
now some pictures of lions being lions
https://www.storytrender.com/101550/all-together-now-pride-of-lions-drink-together-from-the-same-watering-hole/
https://www.storytrender.com/101550/all-together-now-pride-of-lions-drink-together-from-the-same-watering-hole/
Mr T and Kinky Tail of the infamous Mapogo coalition
rip kings
rip kings
a lioness with her white cub!
incredibly rare, as both parents need the recessive, mutated gene that produces melanin
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/03/white-lion-cub-born-wild-south-africa-kruger-leucistic/
incredibly rare, as both parents need the recessive, mutated gene that produces melanin
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/03/white-lion-cub-born-wild-south-africa-kruger-leucistic/
three cubs wait for their pride to return from a hunt
http://www.wildexhibition.com/photo.php?p=cubs
http://www.wildexhibition.com/photo.php?p=cubs
lions rub heads to reinforce their social bonds
important for prides and coalitions to form tight links to each other, otherwise, survival is almost impossible
https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/12/why-lions-nuzzle/
important for prides and coalitions to form tight links to each other, otherwise, survival is almost impossible
https://newsfeed.time.com/2013/09/12/why-lions-nuzzle/
lions know their prey's weaknesses
they often kill by suffocating a large animal, either by restricting air flow through the neck or closing off the victim's mouth or nose
they often kill by suffocating a large animal, either by restricting air flow through the neck or closing off the victim's mouth or nose
lions have a Flehmen response, in which they grimace and show their teeth
both males & females do this when investigating and 'testing' scents, typically urine left behind from another lion
males do it often to check if a female is in estrus
https://www.grantatkinson.com/blog/understanding-flehmen-in-big-cats
both males & females do this when investigating and 'testing' scents, typically urine left behind from another lion
males do it often to check if a female is in estrus
https://www.grantatkinson.com/blog/understanding-flehmen-in-big-cats
scent is incredibly important for lions
they signal all kinds of things
for males, scent marking is the way they tell other lions who owns what territory
they rub their head and body on trees and bushes as they roam, and of course, urinate, just like many other animals
they signal all kinds of things
for males, scent marking is the way they tell other lions who owns what territory
they rub their head and body on trees and bushes as they roam, and of course, urinate, just like many other animals
