In Touch With Nature – The vulnerable life of male lions #wildlife #lions
Posted: February 28, 2024 Filed under: Animals, In Touch With Nature, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: Animals, In Touch With Nature, Lions, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Wildlife, Writing to be Read 74 Comments
Lions live in groups called prides. Each pride is comprised of related lionesses and one or more adult male lions will also be present with the dominant male being the pride leader. Female lionesses are loyal to their pride and not to their family members, and this often means that they don’t keep related males in their pride.
Male lion cubs are frequent victims of snake bits, hunting hyenas, and male lions that aren’t their father or uncle. One in two male lion cubs will die in their first year of life. The greatest single cause of male lion mortality in the first year of life is infanticide by unrelated male lions.
At approximately three years of age, male lions are pushed out of their pride by their fathers. Alternatively, they may be forced to leave the pride when a new coalition of male lions takes over the pride. For a period of two or three years after leaving their prides, young male lions wander on their own, trying to avoid confrontation with older, stronger male lions. Frequently, single males find other males of a similar age and join them to form a coalition. Coalitions typically comprise of two to four male lions and are often made up of brothers or cousins although some include unrelated males. The main purpose for male lions forming coalitions is to compete with other male lions for mates.
When the males in a coalition reach four to five years of age, they will challenge other male coalitions for access to a pride of lionesses. When a new coalition takes over a pride, the new males seek out and kill the cubs of other males or drive them away. The purpose of the killing of cubs is to accelerate the return of the lionesses to a reproductive state thereby allowing the new males to raise their own cubs. The dominant male or pride leader generally gets first mating rights but lionesses do mate with other pride males. The lesser males usually get their opportunity when several females are in heat at the same time and if the dominant male losses interest while the lionesses are still in heat.
The dominant male is usually the largest, strongest male lion. Dominant males usually only retain that position for a few years and then they are challenged by a younger male or an outside coalition. During their time as pride leader, the male is responsible for defending the females and their cubs from predators such as hyenas.
When a battle for leadership takes place within an existing pride, the battle is usually fierce but not deadly. If an outside coalition challenges the leader, the battle will be to the death.
Brothers, a 99-sylable Double Ennead poem by Robbie Cheadle
Dry, yellow grass stretches
To the horizon
Just there, under a scrub tree, lie two brothers
Within slumbers embrace
They soak up the sun
***
The colour of ripe wheat
They blend with the bush
Male lions resting peacefully
Enjoying blissful dreams
Concerning fat buck
***
One starts gently stirring
Rolls over and sighs
His underbelly unintimidating
But then he yawns widely
Showing great long teeth
This poem is included in Lion Scream, Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife
Lion brothers walking on the road:
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Award-winning, bestselling author, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta also has thirteen children’s books and two poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertaEaton17
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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Love those photographs!
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Hi Danny, it’s lovely to see you. I am pleased you enjoyed my pictures.
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My pleasure. I’m waiting on my marks from the first examination, and the tutor’s remarks! 🙂
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Hi Danny, good luck with that. An exciting time.
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I love that poem, and the photos are striking. But I have to admit to being ignorant to some of these facts. I’ve never heard of a lion coalition. That’s fascinating. And I never thought about male lions having such low odds of survival and so much strife just to find their place (and then keep it) in their world. Thanks so much for sharing all this.
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HI Staci, I am very pleased this post interested you. Male animals have rather a hard time of it. They are often lonely wanderers.
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Fabulous, Robbie! I love the double ennead poem and all the information about the lions.
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Thank you, Colleen. It is interesting that male lions lead such vulnerable lives when they are perceived as being the king of the beasts.
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It’s survival of the fittest, isn’t it? Those who survive have the stronger genes and keep the species from extinction. It all very interesting.
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Yes, that is exactly right, Colleen.
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I can’t imagine seeing lions in the wild like that, Robbie! Thank you for the information, and your poem, and the photos.
I heard a story a few months ago on public radio about wolves in the western US–somewhat similar life for the males.
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Hi Merril, a lot of male animals live a lonely life, I’m glad you enjoyed this post 💓
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Hi Robbie. I did! 💙
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I didn’t know male lions were so vulnerable. Love the poem, Robbie!
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Thank you, Priscilla. Disney has created a lot of misconceptions about animals.
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Quite a complex society, I wonder to what extent lionesses try to protect their own sons?
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They don’t protect their male sons at all. I will share about lionesses next month 🥰
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Oh, Robbie, your poem is exquisite! I’m a huge fan of large cats, and lions are so majestic.
Thank your knowledge with us. I didn’t know many of those things about male lions.
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Hi Kymber, I glad you enjoyed this post. I am also a cat lover 💗
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Loved every word, Robbie. And that video!
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HI Sue, I’m pleased to know that. It is great to watch the animals in real life.
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There is nothing more noble than a male lion. You hooked me with the video–but what happened? Did they go off into the grass?
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No, but on safari’s there is etiquette and rules. You can only have a 10 minute viewing slot and then you must make way for other vehicles.
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I love your nature posts, Robbie. I knew male lions had it rough (being driven out of their pride when young, and often not surviving as cubs), but I was unfamiliar with Coalitions. Thanks for the informative post.
Wonderful photos and excellent poem, too. I love the descriptive line, “the color of ripe wheat.” Lion Scream is a fantastic, and informative collection, and I hope many new fans discover it!
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I just want to hug the lions and tell them how much I LOVE them! Of course, I understand that they have to have a pecking order, or else there would be pandemonium in their world… <3
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Hi Annette, yes, this is natures way of keeping the bloodlines strong. It’s tough to be a male lion thought.
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Hey, Robbie. This is a great post. I hope those who read the GDUI Paws for News You Can use followed your blog from where I posted the first article from this series. This is awesome. Thanks for sharing your wildlife knowledge with us.
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Hi Patty, thank you for sharing my first post, it is appreciated. I am delighted you are enjoying this series.
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This is a lovely and informative post about the lions, Robbie! I watched the documentary a lot and understand the predicament of the lion cubs and younger lions. Nature is cruel to even strong animals. I enjoyed Lion Scream and loved your poem.
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Thank you, Miriam. You and I share a lot of interests. Thank you for your comment about Lion Scream.
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I know, Robbie. I wish I could go with you to visit the wild animals.
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Fascinating (and kind of disturbing) information about male lions, Robbie!
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Fascinating information. I had no idea how challenging survival and life can be for male lions.
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Hi Pete, male lions are not presented this way, but their lives are hard and lonely. We saw a young male lion at the reserve in October and when we came back in Dec, the lion was dead. Killed by other males. The reserve was trying to introduce new blood. They have ways of introducing the male but sometimes it fails and the lion is killed.
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Another excellent post and wonderful poetry… thanks very much Robbie and also Kaye Lynne xx
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Hi Sally, I am delighted you enjoyed this post. People seem really interested in learning more about southern African wildlife.
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It is fascinating Robbie and you bring it to life.. ♥
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☺️
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Fascinating information I didn’t know about lions!
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Thank you, Liz. I am delighted you enjoyed this post.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
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Not an easy life for the leaders, or for any male it seems. Thanks for the information Robbie. (K)
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My pleasure, Kerfe. I wrote this post because a blogger mentioned she didn’t know that the females do most of the hunting. I wanted to explain the role of the male lion. His is a tough one. He keeps the pride safe and ensures the bloodlines stay strong.
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This made me very sad. It probably shouldn’t, but I hate how our animals are dwindling whether we are the cause or they are their own cause.
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Hi Marilyn, nature’s way is to keep the bloodlines strong. In sanctuaries and zoos, the animals are developing genetic conditions due to inbreeding and the changes to the natural way. A lot of tigers develop an eye condition and go blind. I read an article that said tigers are likely to be extinct within the next few years.
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Nature is so amazing. Makes me think the famous Tsavo man eaters must have been a coalition.
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Yes, they would have been. That is an interesting case as lions rarely hunt humans.
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Wonderful, Robbie!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
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💞
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It sounds like a dangerous life, Robbie. The hierarchy and social structure for lions are more complex than I thought. What magnificent animals. Thanks for sharing your images and knowledge. :-) Thanks to Kaye Lynne for hosting.
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☺️
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HI Diana, most animals have complex hierarchies and social structures. It is very interesting to read about. I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post.
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🙂
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The sounds those lions make is awe-inspiring! I feel bad for the juveniles, though it’s necessary to build the pride.
Thanks for the informative post, Robbie. I love your safari trips!
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HI Jacquie, thank you. I am delighted people are interested in these posts about southern African wildlife. I love sharing about all these marvelous creatures.
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Really a terrific post. It’s so great to have Robbie in out blogging community.
I’ve learned a lot about S. Africa (& Africa) from her.
Love the lions. Thank you!
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Hi Resa, I am delighted you enjoyed this post. Lion hierachies and social structures are complex.
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Love it, Robbie!
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💗
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[…] Head over to discover more about these magnificent animals: The vulnerable life of male lions […]
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Those photos and the video are great and the poem is great. The information was quite interesting. Being the king of the jungle seems to be a very cruel life. These sentences made me sad: “The greatest single cause of male lion mortality in the first year of life is infanticide by unrelated male lions.” & “When a new coalition takes over a pride, the new males seek out and kill the cubs of other males or drive them away. The purpose of the killing of cubs is to accelerate the return of the lionesses to a reproductive state thereby allowing the new males to raise their own cubs.” However, I understand that nature can be cruel.
The book, Lion Scream is a real master piece and I recommend to everyone.
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Hi Thomas, thank you for your support of Lion Scream. Despite the copywriter issues locally, I am progressing my next children’s book about elephants 💕
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That is great news ! Thank you for telling me Robbie.
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💓
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I didn’t know lions killed other males cubs until recently. Interestingly, the lionesses don’t intervene.
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Thanks for the education about lions and their cubs Robbie. Very sad about the young male cubs. 😦 ❤
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HI Debby, thank you. Nature can be harsh and cruel.
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That’s the truth Robbie ❤
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🌺
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Hi, Robbie! Thanks for all the very interesting information about the lions and their life. Most was unknown by me. I always had thought the moms are caring for the cubs all over their life. Your poem is so wonderful, and shows the greatness of these wonderful animals. Thanks for sharing, and have a beautiful week! xx Michael
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Hi Michael, it is always lovely to see you. I am glad you enjoyed this post. I hope your week is also a good one.
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[…] month, I discussed the role of male lions in the pride. If you missed it, you can read it here: https://writingtoberead.com/2024/02/28/in-touch-with-nature-the-vulnerable-life-of-male-lions-wildli…. This month I’m talking about female […]
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