Lions: Social Structure, Habits, and Life Cycle

Vocabulary flashcards detailing lion pride organization, behavioral roles, daily habits, diet, and life cycle.

Pride

A social and cooperative family group of lions typically consisting of $2$ to $40$ members, including a core group of related females (mothers, daughters, sisters, and grandmothers), their cubs, and a coalition of adult males.

Female lion roles

Pride responsibilities primarily carried out by lionesses, consisting of performing most of the hunting and rearing the cubs.

Male lion roles

Pride duties carried out by adult males, which include guarding the pride's territory and defending the group against rival males.

Nomadic life (young male lions)

A behavioral phase in which young males depart their birth pride around age $3$ to establish their own territory, often journeying alongside brothers or cousins.

Lion resting habits

A daily pattern where lions sleep or rest up to $20\,\text{hours}$ per day to conserve energy.

Lion hunting strategy

A cooperative ambush method conducted in coordinated female teams to capture large prey such as zebras and wildebeests.

Roaring

A powerful vocalization shared by both males and females that travels up to $5\,\text{miles}$ ($8\,\text{kilometers}$) away, serving to mark territory and communicate with pride members.

Lion cub development

Early growth stages of lions born blind and helpless in a secluded den, who open their eyes after about a week and start consuming meat around $3\,\text{months}$ of age.

Wild lion lifespan

The natural life expectancy of wild lions, which averages $10$ to $14\,\text{years}$, with females generally outliving males.

Captive lion lifespan

The life duration of lions living in captivity, which can reach beyond $20\,\text{years}$.