Lion Behaviour
Lions live in social groups called 'prides,' which generally consist of 4 -12 related adult females lions, their offspring and 1 - 6 adult male lions. Members may be scattered in several groups within a pride's range in groups called 'companionships' or 'sub prides'.
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The 'prides' adult females are all related and remain group members for all of their lives. The male lions, on the other hand, are irregular members and will constantly fight off other male lions for leadership of a pride.
Male lions remain leader of a pride whilst they are strong enough to defend it. When they become weaker and older, new male lions will come along and scare off the weaker lion and become the new leader of that particular pride.
It is common for a pair of male lions to stay with a pride for about 3 - 6 years before they are forced away.
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Believe it or not female lions do most of the hunting. However, male lions eat first followed by the female lions and their young (cubs). Hunting occurs night or day.
Even though male lions do not hunt but eat more than the lionesses, they do have an important role within the pride. Male lions patrol, mark and guard the pride's territory. They also look after the cubs while the lionesses are hunting and make sure they get enough food.
Because the lionesses hunt most of the time, they continue to remain fitter and healthier than male lions which in turn keeps them safer. Female lions work together at hunting, with the smaller lionesses chasing the prey and the larger lionesses ambushing and capturing it. Female lions are very versatile and will swap jobs depending on what kind of prey they are after.
