Lions are an intriguing and mesmerizing species. Being the only social wild cat species in the world, lions live in groups called prides. You are probably familiar with this term, but how much do you really know about its intricate dynamics? Read along to learn a little bit more about the ins and outs of life in a lion pride.
Basics
A lion pride can vary in size. On average, they include around 15 individuals, but can range from just a few to 30 or more. Generally, there are only a few adult male lions and the remaining members of the pride are the lionesses and their cubs. Female cubs will usually stay with the same pride from birth to death. Male lions, on the other hand, will be kicked out of the pride once they reach sexual maturity around the age of 2-3. Once the male cubs are kicked out, they nomadically wander until establishing a pride of their own through territorial dominance. This can sometimes take most of their lifetime to do.
Male Lions
When established in a pride, the dominant male lion will have one main role: defend the pride. They will do this by marking the territory through scent and vocally. They will also defend the pride by chasing off any trespassers.
Lionesses
Female lions get much less praise than male lions do. Perhaps it’s because male lions have fancy manes, but female lions are actually the backbone of the pride. Males drift through, females lions are there to stay and provide the pride with what they need in order to survive.
A female lion has numerous responsibilities. Lionesses care for the cubs. Not only do they raise their own cubs, they also all work together to raise the new generation of the pride. They are responsible for teaching the young cubs how to be successful lions. This spans many skills, the most important of which is hunting. Adult female lions are the ones that provide the pride with their meals. Without the lionesses, the pride would starve.
Lion prides are complex and interesting. Lions are such a unique feline species and we still have so much to learn about them. Come visit to see beautiful lionesses that call Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge their forever home!
Sources
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/lion-pride-family-dynamics-females
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/lion-pride-dynamics/
https://www.lionstigersandbears.org/lions-and-their-unbreakable-bond-with-their-prides/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/african-lion
*Published by Danika Torgersen on 03/15/25*