Lions may be the kings of the jungle, but they can face threats themselves – especially lion cubs. Young lions are often vulnerable to male lions from other coalitions that can kill clubs so they can mate with the female lions. Spotted hyenas and other large carnivores also present a threat to lion cubs.
New research in a study published recently in the Journal of Animal Ecology, revealed that male lions have a certain way of defending their territory from danger – from either rival male coalitions or roving packs of hyenas.
“They show more territorial defense behavior,” says Romain Dejeante, an ecology student at the University of Montpelier in France.
Studying Male Lion Behavior
Female lions typically band together in maternal nursery groups so they can collectively help protect cubs. These prides are often associated with a coalition of males who also band together to give themselves an advantage over other male lions in a territory.
