There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
According to Savannah Private Game Reserve, the Othawa subadults are not currently pursuing Othawa Pride's females. That might change again soon, though.
(09-14-2021, 12:16 AM)Hairy tummy Wrote: The pc males are looking in fantastic condition from what i have seen, great genes
They're good looking boys, big size that they've inherit from their fathers I should point out that their condition don't have nothing to do with their genes, If not with their success on the hunts.
09-14-2021, 01:39 AM( This post was last modified: 09-14-2021, 01:47 AM by Duco Ndona )
Its often that way. While having good genes helps. Its definitely more nurture than nature with lions.
Most of the things like bulk, muscle and manes are dependent on how well they are doing.
Lions build up as the sons of this or that coalition rarely live up to the reputation and I think their mothers have far more influence on how a litter turns out than the fathers.
They afteral are doing most of the parenting and the teaching.
09-14-2021, 02:31 AM( This post was last modified: 09-14-2021, 02:33 AM by sik94 )
(09-14-2021, 01:39 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Its often that way. While having good genes helps. Its definitely more nurture than nature with lions.
Most of the things like bulk, muscle and manes are dependent on how well they are doing.
Lions build up as the sons of this or that coalition rarely live up to the reputation and I think their mothers have far more influence on how a litter turns out than the fathers.
They afteral are doing most of the parenting and the teaching.
Lions are absent fathers, they don't play a role in raising their cubs other than providing protection through keeping their territory free of intruders. If there's any parenting or teaching to be done, it's from the lionesses. Although I do think lions are born being lions, other than food, they don't need much else. The hunting techniques and almost all of their behavior is instinctual, they don't have to learn or be taught. If you raised lion cubs in their natural habitat without a pride and gave them food, they would grow up to be just fine lions.
Instincts are not complex. They are more urges an animal needs to learn to surpres or work with to survive.
Lots of prides develop their own hunting cultures, with expertise in some prey animals but a complete lack of skill in others, which can differ for each pride.
We also see cubs struggle a lot in their own attempts and being shown how to perform certain tasks in a educational manner by the lionesses.
If you raise a cub in isolation and then toss it in the Savanna. Its likely just going to die or struggle until it learns on its own.
(09-14-2021, 10:32 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: We also see cubs struggle a lot in their own attempts and being shown how to perform certain tasks in a educational manner by the lionesses.
I think that's lack of practice, not lack of lessons. The "learning" isn't off observing and analyzing, more trial and error.
(09-14-2021, 10:32 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Lots of prides develop their own hunting cultures, with expertise in some prey animals but a complete lack of skill in others, which can differ for each pride.
I think that's a big assumption, It probably has more to do with abundance of a certain prey species in an area and not a matter of specialization. Like the talk of certain coalitions being "expert buffalo hunters" reminds me of how every male lion is referred to as a big male lion.
(09-14-2021, 10:32 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: If you raise a cub in isolation and then toss it in the Savanna. Its likely just going to die or struggle until it learns on its own.
I'm not saying raise a cub in isolation and then toss it in the Savanna. That's ridiculous. I'm saying do an experiment, let them grow up in their natural habitat but without a pride, give them food until they reach the age of 2.5, I bet they wouldn't have anymore of a hard time surviving on their own as young subadults that are kicked out of the pride.
Then those cubs would just wander around the savanna harassing tours or other people for food. They may eventually learn to hunt, but it would be very trail and error. A newly nomadic group would have far more success.
Infact, inexperienced lions like that are known for eating prey alive due to such reasons. While killing a prey is observed to be deliberately shown to cubs by lionesses.
They are tired after hunting Buffalo during the night. They were not successful. The herd is a large one and its Bulls will fight off attacks so it is not an easy hunt. The guide does have an interesting discussion on what will happen to the three male subadults of the Talamatis. Will Dark Mane run them off as is normally the case or because of his old injury allow them to stay? Time will tell what will happen.
