UNUSUAL FACTS
ABOUT LIONS
G'day folks,
Popularly known as the “King of the Jungle”, lions are at the top of
their food chains. They may look cute, harmless, and just like your
domesticated pet cat, but these hundred pound killing machines are not to be
trifled with otherwise you could end up in the hospital or, worse, a body bag.
Lions hunt in groups called prides, an effective strategy that has allowed
these animals to take down prey twice their size. These include wildebeests,
giraffes, and elephants. Although no introductions are needed for this majestic
creature, there are still a lot of facts average people don’t know about them.
Lion Fact 1:
Lioness
live within the area their preceding generations controlled for life.
Meanwhile, lions roam around long distances to search for other prides they can
mingle and breed with. Many people, especially aspiring zoologists and animal
lovers, know this fact. However, what they remain unaware of are the
implications. Male lions can fend for themselves. In fact, they spend a large
fraction of their lives alone hence requiring them to learn how to become an
efficient hunter.
Lion Fact 2:
A few
studies only support the first fact above. Nonetheless, this is an interesting
discovery that could branch out more proclivities. For starters, studies have
associated male hunting behavioral patterns with vegetation structure. In such
cases, this was an indirect form of males caring for their young ones. Less
vegetation implies less protection for the pride’s cubs. This is why African
lions are forced to scout for denser vegetative lands. With denser vegetation,
males have a much larger hunting ground, allowing cubs to eat more and grow
stronger
Lion Fact 3: More interesting facts about lions
Another
tragic but infamous fact about African lions is that a change in pride leader
results in the killing of existing offspring the lioness have. What remains
covert is that a male lion taking over a pride of females may force other
members to run off. In fact, this is how many lioness stray from the territory
she was conceived in. Although this is not necessarily a death penalty, it does
drastically lower her chances of survival as lions who are not in a pride are
not as strong and efficient in hunting food.
Lion Fact 4:
Male
lions frequently form partnerships with other male lions outside the pride. While
people think that the pride often consists of more females than males, the
reality is surprisingly reversed. Basically, there will be a group of females
connected to a group of two to four males. The bigger the male population in a
pride, the higher their reproductive health are.
Lion Fact 5: More fun facts about lions
Most
people refer to a group of lions as a pride. However, what they don’t know is
that scientists and field researchers actually distinguish lion groups based on
the gender of the pride. A pride is actually a group of female lions who are
related and live together. A group of male lions, on the other hand, is known
as a coalition. Knowing this key piece of information can help you catch up and
relate to lion conversations.
Lion Fact 6:
Having
such dominance and ferocity within their territories, you’d think no one would
dare go toe-to-toe with a pride of lions. Using their sharp and powerful claws
and a nasty bite that strangles their prey, lions can take down even the
largest of elephants and even the most stubborn of buffaloes. Ironically
though, their worst foe comes in the size of a dog – porcupines. Armed with
their quills, a porcupine wards off lions who prefer not to get those
protruding stings stuck to their face.
Lion Fact 7:
A lion’s
tail has meaning beyond its appearance. It is usually wagged to signal other
lions and convey messages, such as warnings of impending danger. So the next
time you see a lion at the zoo or in the wild, you’ll know those tail wags are
not meaningless. Talking about the tail of lion, there’s an African proverb
that says “Never hold a lion by the tail, whether dead or alive” lion is a
very dangerous animal
and not
something to play, toil or mess around with.
Lion Fact 8:
Reinforced
with sharp and retractable claws, a lion’s paw is one of his most important
hunting arsenal. Retracting claws allow these giant cats to lock onto their
prey while also preventing unwanted injuries during playtime.
Lion Fact 9:
A lion’s
rear set of teeth, also known as carnassals, cut like scissors, which are
extremely useful when feasting on a prey with thick hides like a buffalo or
elephant. While their set of teeth help trim down pieces of flesh, lions don’t
really chew their kill. Instead, they swallow it with one side of their mouth.
Lion Fact 10:
Lions and
lionesses greet each other in a rather rough manner. To the ordinary eyes, it
may seem like the animals are fighting, but on the contrary, it is a way of
saying “hi”. The gesture signifies a bond that is unique to the pride as lions
leave scent marks on their pride members. Even domesticated cats show this
trait by rubbing against their human companions, which actually signify
ownership.
Clancy's comment: I hope you found this interesting.
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