From other representatives of cat lions they differ in that they form prides, peculiar social groups. They usually consist of 5-18 lionesses, who are close relatives, lions (their offspring) and several lions, among which there is one leader. Animals do not establish hierarchical relations, they are all equal, with the exception of the dominant male, who enjoys the right to start a meal first, mate with females and attack enemies that enter the territory. The Pride of Lions has its own territory, which protects from other groups and solitary predators.
Toddlers stay with their mothers until they are 2.5 years old, and then they are expelled, because they begin to claim the primacy. But this applies only to
males, females remain in the pride, inheriting the territory of the mother. Lone lions sometimes unite in 2-5 individuals, mostly brothers. It is more difficult for them to get food and defend themselves, but they are not burdened with caring for the family, therefore they eat better than predators living in groups. Sooner or later, such coalitions will take over the pride; one lion cannot hold the championship for more than 3 years.
A new male immediately kills all other cubs, only those who are more than a year old can be saved. A pride of lions protects kids, but this is almost a futile task, because the invaders will spare no one. They do this not from evil, but because otherwise the males will not be able to give birth to their own offspring. A lioness with cubs will be able to become pregnant only after 2 years, but after the killing of cubs, estrus begins after 3 weeks. Since the leaders often change, this gives the male an opportunity to grow his offspring.
Life in the pride of lions goes according to its own laws. There are several reasons why predators come together in groups. Firstly, the chance to catch a large prey increases, together they can hunt for buffalo and other strong animals. Secondly, the pride of lions protects babies who are born at about the same time. Females protect absolutely all cubs, feed them and protect them from predators. Thirdly, it is easier for a group to defend its territory and kill other lionesses. But most importantly, the pride of lions is able to repel the attack of stray single males and protect their babies.
Predators use visual perception, odor signals and sounds to communicate. Externally, having examined the opponent, the lion already knows whether it is worth attacking him, or it is better to retreat, and the males from one pride behave amiably and rub their faces, greeting each other. Animals mark their territories, therefore, by smell, a stranger must determine that he wandered into a protected area. One-year-old lion cubs learn to growl, acoustic communication is necessary for communication. With the help of the roar, males can communicate with their relatives or announce to strangers that the territory is occupied, so the animal world is arranged.
Predators (the pride of lions is no exception) expel old individuals, so the main danger for them is hunger and more powerful representatives of
the cat family. Males usually die at the age of 11; sometimes they live to be 16 years old. The life of females is longer, because they are not expelled from the pride. In the wild, they live for about 15 years, and in captivity - 13 years.