Post by Cryptic on Nov 18, 2007 3:49:38 GMT -5
DOMINANT MALE
The pride is normally presided over by one dominant male, though it is not unheard of for two related males (usually brothers) to control a pride. More than two has never been recorded and, with multiple males, fights sometimes break out between them.
The dominant male usually control breeding rights in the pride, and will often breed with available lionesses to secure their hold on the pride. They must keep other males away, control the subordinates, and protect the pride. If he fails at these duties, he will usually fall one of two ways: death or exile by a challenging male or, if the situation is bad enough, being overthrown by the lionesses.
DOMINANT FEMALE
While dominant males often breed with multiple lioness within the group, there is sometimes a dominant female that leads hunts, rules over the other females, and decides the positions in the pride. Sometimes this is the mate of the dominant male (multiple dominant males=multiple dominant females), or else a close friend. Most often it is the strongest female in the pride.
Her cubs are the highest ranking in the pride and, on occasion, this lioness will adopt another female's cubs or kill them depending on her reasons.
SUBORDINATE FEMALES
Subordinate females are the huntresses and mothers of the pride. They are essential to the group's survival and greatly out-rank the subordinate males. These lionesses have the power to overthrow their leader, challenge for dominant female, and protect their cubs (and others') from predators and challenging males.
SUBORDINATE MALES
Males have little value in the pride. It is common for males to be evicted from the pride after they hit puberty, and these males often leave and challenge to control other prides unless they start their own. Within the pride, a subordinate male has no breeding rights unless there are special circumstances.
CUBS
The babies of the pride are guarded by their mothers and babysat by the other lionesses, so most of them get very close to one another. Female cubs will grow up to become hunters and mothers (though they won't breed unless they leave the pride or a non-related male takes over.) Males will grow up similarly, though they will eventually have to leave their pride.
Cubs are in danger of being killed by predators or challenging males. When a new male takes over, he will usually kill the young cubs of the old dominant male.
TROUBLEMAKERS
If a subordinate male or female is acting up in the pride, they may find themselves in the lowest rank of the group. They will be fed last and lose out on hunting and babysitting jobs. This position can be obtained through challenging leadership, causing trouble, or starting fights.
The pride is normally presided over by one dominant male, though it is not unheard of for two related males (usually brothers) to control a pride. More than two has never been recorded and, with multiple males, fights sometimes break out between them.
The dominant male usually control breeding rights in the pride, and will often breed with available lionesses to secure their hold on the pride. They must keep other males away, control the subordinates, and protect the pride. If he fails at these duties, he will usually fall one of two ways: death or exile by a challenging male or, if the situation is bad enough, being overthrown by the lionesses.
DOMINANT FEMALE
While dominant males often breed with multiple lioness within the group, there is sometimes a dominant female that leads hunts, rules over the other females, and decides the positions in the pride. Sometimes this is the mate of the dominant male (multiple dominant males=multiple dominant females), or else a close friend. Most often it is the strongest female in the pride.
Her cubs are the highest ranking in the pride and, on occasion, this lioness will adopt another female's cubs or kill them depending on her reasons.
SUBORDINATE FEMALES
Subordinate females are the huntresses and mothers of the pride. They are essential to the group's survival and greatly out-rank the subordinate males. These lionesses have the power to overthrow their leader, challenge for dominant female, and protect their cubs (and others') from predators and challenging males.
SUBORDINATE MALES
Males have little value in the pride. It is common for males to be evicted from the pride after they hit puberty, and these males often leave and challenge to control other prides unless they start their own. Within the pride, a subordinate male has no breeding rights unless there are special circumstances.
CUBS
The babies of the pride are guarded by their mothers and babysat by the other lionesses, so most of them get very close to one another. Female cubs will grow up to become hunters and mothers (though they won't breed unless they leave the pride or a non-related male takes over.) Males will grow up similarly, though they will eventually have to leave their pride.
Cubs are in danger of being killed by predators or challenging males. When a new male takes over, he will usually kill the young cubs of the old dominant male.
TROUBLEMAKERS
If a subordinate male or female is acting up in the pride, they may find themselves in the lowest rank of the group. They will be fed last and lose out on hunting and babysitting jobs. This position can be obtained through challenging leadership, causing trouble, or starting fights.
