Feline families don’t get more sociable than a lion pride. Nomadic loners, especially females, stand less of a chance in the harsh African wilderness. And a communal lifestyle has many advantages: cubs are protected, hunts are more successful and it’s easier to maintain territory.

Keeping rivals off your land is a must if you’re ruled by a strong territorial streak. Fighting off intruders is usually the job of the ruling male – and it's a risky one… Younger competitors are never far away and often form coalitions with other males in order to launch a pride takeover and topple an existing leader.

Variety is the spice of life! Lion prides are often made up of related females and cubs, and a reigning male or two (like the Xakanaxa pride in our Lion Empire series) … but this arrangement is not for everyone. Prides are dynamic units and can adapt to climate conditions, different locations and even outside pressures like habitat encroachment. Living arrangements can even change on a day-to-day basis as members (especially males) embark on their own little exploits.

One thing you can expect from a male lion is a seesaw of temperaments. They’re at their most vicious when taking over a new pride and defending territory. But they’re not always so ferocious: in between lengthy bouts of lazy lounging, they do sometimes find time to show their softer side by interacting with the cubs. 

Unlike other cats, male and female lions look distinctly different (a trait we call sexual dimorphism). And the most glaring macho feature? The mane! Until recently, the exact function of the bushy hairdo was a bit of a mystery … but we now know that it sends important signals to both rivals and potential mates – like a furry advertisement of the male's fighting ability and health status.

When it comes to lion courtship, it’s all about speed and stamina. And monogamy is out of the window – females will readily mate with more than one suitor. Since there’s no specific breeding period, lions mate several times a year – and a mating marathon can involve twenty to forty romps per day (the amorous pair often doesn’t even stop to eat). Synchronised reproductive cycles ensure females in the pride give birth at about the same time, allowing for some communal babysitting.  

They might help to eke out family territory, but males are not all that great at putting food on the table. That chore is often left to lionesses. Smaller, more agile and unencumbered by those heavy manes, they usually band together to launch a coordinated attack to bring down prey. But to be fair to the males, recent studies suggest they’re accomplished ambush hunters … who prefer to work alone. 

It’s not easy being a young cub in the African wilds. In addition to the constant threat of starvation, young lions-in-the-making also face danger from other predators – and even from their own kind. When a new lion takes over an existing pride, cubs are often killed off to ensure future offspring carry the genes of the new ruler. 

Snarling, coughing, hissing, grunting, meowing, woofing. They’re all in a lion’s vocal repertoire and can signal anything from a subtle reprimand to just a pesky hairball. But the defining lion vocalisation is the famous roar. The sound can reach 114 decibels (about 25 times louder than a lawn mower) and can be heard up to eight kilometres away (which makes it a great tool for warning rivals to stay away).

When a snarl or a roar just won’t do, it’s time to switch tactics. Lion movements can be very expressive: from a firm nudge in greeting, to an affectionate nuzzle or some mutual grooming to reaffirm pride bonds. But a twitching tail, flattened ears and bared teeth send out very different signals!