|
Most species of cats lead solitary lives, but a few live together in groups called prides.
Unlike many other species of cats, lions live together in groups called prides. A pride is usually made up of one or two males and several females. The females are all closely related to one another and share the tasks of hunting for food and raising cubs. The main role of the male is to sire young and defend the pride against outsiders. |
|
Although domestic cats tend to be solitary creatures, they sometimes create prides of their own. When food is plentiful, barn cats or feral cats may form groups in which related females share in the care and feeding of kittens. One or a few males are present, but they do not rely on the females for food.
|
|
The life of a young male lion is dangerous. He is often forced to leave his mother's pride by the dominant male. He then must find and conquer another pride in order to reproduce. Battles between males for pride ownership are serious fights that may end in death.
Males may work in small teams of two to four to take over a pride. Immediately after the takeover, the victorious males often kill the pride's cubs. This causes the pride females to be ready for mating sooner.
|
|
Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation. All photographic images contained within these Web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced or utilized in any manner without the express written consent of the owner. Pride painting by Wendy Smith-Griswold © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation Feral cat composite photograph by Jim Angus © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation, original photograph from SunSITE Japan Multimedia Collection
Photograph of lions from SunSITE Japan Multimedia Collection Page design by Jim Angus |