In Touch With Nature – Lionesses, the queens of the savannah #lionesses #wildlife
Posted: March 27, 2024 Filed under: Animals, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Writing to be Read | Tags: Animal Kindom, In Touch With Nature, Lions, Robbie Cheadle, Writing to be Read 58 Comments
Last 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-wildlife-lions/. This month I’m talking about female lions.
Lionesses are the primary hunters within the pride. They hunt in groups of three to eight females, all of whom are usually related. Lionesses display exceptional teamwork during hunts, deploying strategic hunting techniques, such as coordinated flanking and ambushing, to outmaneuver their prey. Their synchronized approach increases the likelihood of a successful kill. Lionesses, working together, are able to take down a target twice their size. Lion prey includes zebra, wildebeests, buffalo, antelope and other grassland animals.
Lions will kill other predators including leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and African wild dogs. They do not eat them as the flesh of other predators is not nutritious. Lion predator kills are purely to remove competitors for food and territory, as well as threats to the lions young. In particular, lions actively kill leopards as leopards kill and eat their cubs.
This is my video of this lioness kill:
Lionesses are known to be excellent mothers and will go to great lengths to ensure the survival of their cubs. Lion mating is polygamous and takes place all year round. The dominant male will copulate with multiple females within his pride. Lionesses are receptive to mating for three or four days within their variable reproductive cycle and during this time they will mate frequently, up to fifty times per day. Female lions have the ultimate say in deciding which lion they will reproduce with. Lionesses observe the males carefully, accessing their physical condition, strength, and overall fitness, before committing to a partnership. Lionesses are also not monogamous and can mate with multiple lions during their estrous cycle, although it has been observed that approximately two-thirds of these mating events occur with the primary male, with the remaining third being distributed among multiple males from the peripheral coalitions of that primary male. This means that a single litter can have cubs from different fathers. Lionesses in the same pride often breed around the same time and the resultant cubs are raised together.
My video of lions mating:
Lionesses are pregnant for 105 to 112 days, during which time her belly will grow larger, and her nipples will enlarge and darken. Just before giving birth, the lioness will begin to look for a safe and secure place to give birth. Once she has found a suitable spot that is hidden from predators and close to water, she will start to build a den using grass and other materials. The actual birth is relatively quick, approximately 1 hour, and between two and four is the usual number for a litter.
The cubs are born blind and helpless and rely on their mothers to protect and care for them. During the first few weeks of their lives, the cubs feed on their mother’s milk and she only leaves them for short periods to hunt.
My video of lion clubs:
Last month I said that male lions commit infanticide and can kill the cubs of other males. Given that lionesses are fiercely protective of their cubs, why do they not defend their cubs from lions? The answer is simply that male lions are much bigger and more aggressive than lionesses. Challenging a male lion is risky for a lioness as it could lead to the serious injury or death of the lioness, as a result, in this situation the lioness will prioritise her own survival and the wellbeing of the rest of the pride over the survival of her cubs.
If you are interested in seeing more of my photographs, videos and artworks relating to Cats, please enjoy this stunning post created by the talented Resa McConaghy. Resa and I share a love for wildlife and a passion for conservation.
Lion Lust by Robbie Cheadle
Sidling up beside her
He strokes her shoulder
In a gesture of affection for his mate
He quickly mounts her
For the eighteenth time
***
She walks quickly away
He meekly follows
Lying down face-to-face in her chosen spot
A short period of rest
Before the next round
***
They will stay together
For twenty-four hours
Mating every twenty to thirty minutes
Despite his high demands
She lovingly purrs
This poem is from my book Lion Scream, Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife.
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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Another truly amazing post Robbie again you totally captivated me. Though I could not watch the killing bof prey video.
i also loved the poem which is tender and beautiful 💜💜
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Hi Willow, thank you, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post. Kills can be upsetting although it is the natural way. I’m glad you liked the poem.
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I loved the poem Robbie 💜
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Thank you 💛🌼
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A neat and informative post! Robbie is not just creative, but she does a great job of sharing info about giraffes, lions, history, and more 🙂
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[…] https://writingtoberead.com/2024/03/27/in-touch-with-nature-lionesses-the-queens-of-the-savannah-lio… […]
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You see such amazing sights, Robbie, and I appreciate all the fascinating information!
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Hi Merril, I think I am very fortunate to see these animals in the wild. I love sharing about them.
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You are fortunate to see them, and thank you for sharing. Robbie!
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My pleasure
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I’d love to get out there and see some of these things. Thanks for sharing them with us.
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Most wonderfully informative! ❤
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Thank you, Annette 💗
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Great post, Robbie! The animal world is impressive, fascinating, and at times quite disturbing.
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Hi Dave, you are quite right. The animal world can be disturbing in it natural cycles of life and death.
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This post is terrific, Robbie! xo I wish I could see big cats in the wild. xo
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Hi Kymber, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this post. Seeing these animals in the wild is amazing.
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Terrific article Robbie.
I can’t help but notice how domesticated and feral cats are the same as their larger wild counterparts.
Someone brought a doberman dog over when one of my cats was nursing. The dog got halfway through the door when mom landed on his head, viciously shredding it.
The dog recovered, but never returned.
Thank you for this Robbie!
Thank you Kaye Lynne for having Robbie as a guest!
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Hi Resa, I’ve also noticed similarities between my domesticated cats and lions and cheetahs 🥰. Poor dog 🩵
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Lol!! Poor dog! lol! 💐
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😊🤗
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Fun facts and verse. Kudos Robbie!
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Thank you, Brad 🌹
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When do the cubs get their sight? I didn’t know they are born blind. I love to read your animal stories Robbie. 😊
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Hi Kay, I’m delighted you enjoy these posts. Lion cubs eyes open between 3 and 11 days after birth. They are also born without teeth.
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The poem you wrote is clever. Lion Lust!
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Thank you
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I can just picture the lionesses assessing the talent, probably not worrying about a sense of humour or good income. Thanks Robbie for another interesting look at real wild life. No captivity could recreate lions’ social life.
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Hi Janet, no. Animal behaviour changes in captivity 💚. Female lions have a slightly different agenda 😊
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I appreciated learning more about lionesses and their habits. I know lions are a misunderstood species. That reminds me of a terrific book I recently finished called A Wolf Called Wander written by Rosanne Parry. It changed my perception of wolves. https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Called-Wander-Rosanne-Parry/dp/006289594X/
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Hi Pete, thank you for the link. The book sounds interesting. I, glad you enjoyed the female POV.
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Another informative post, Robbie. Lionesses are certainly active during their mating cycle. I’m glad they get to be picky, but wow, they sound busy!
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Haha, exactly what I thought when I watched this all happening
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A lot of this is new to me, Robbie, so thanks for sharing your knowledge, the videos, and the poem as well. ♥
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My pleasure, Olga. I love that you are interested in this series.
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This information about lioness behavior is fascinating! There is so much to learn.
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Hi Liz, all animals have unique adaptions to their role in the eco system. It is incredibly fascinating.
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It is!
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This is fascinating information, Robbie. I learn so much here.
And once again, your poetry is completely absorbing!
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Hi Donna, thank you, I am so pleased you enjoy these articles.
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Lionesses are the primary hunters within the pride, and male lions kill cubs. The male lions are not coming out looking good. I also did not know that “flesh of other predators is not nutritious”. Thank you for the interesting information and videos and the beautiful poem.
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Hi Thomas, it is my pleasure. Male lions assist with hunts if they prey is very big, for example a giraffe. The males are important as they defend the pride.
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Thank you for the info Robbie
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Have a great long weekend, Thomas.
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More interesting information I did not know. Thanks Robbie. (K)
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My pleasure, Kerfe 💚🦜
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Great photos an videos as well as some great info about Lionesses.
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Hi Carla, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. We are on our way home from a short two day break to the bush
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I’m sure you had a wonderful time, Robbie.
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We did, thank you
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Lionesses hunt in teams? I had no idea. Another informative post, Robbie, with a powerful poem to boot!
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Hi Priscilla, yes, lionesses always hunt in groups. We saw a pride this morning. Moms with cubs of about 1 year old. Amazing
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The lion and lioness relationship is amazing. I loved your poem, Robbie!
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Thank you, Miriam
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You’re welcome, Robbie!
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This was very interesting, Robbie. I did not know that many of the kills were to reduce the predators. The pride is a big, family. Thank you for this fascinating peek into the life of a lioness, although I was not brave enough to watch the kill video. 🙂
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Hi Jennie, I am glad you enjoyed learning more about lion societies. I understand your squeamishness. I suppose I have got used to the cycle of life in the bush so it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.
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Good for you, Robbie, aka the brave one. And I really enjoyed learning more.
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