Lions from Botswana

[Spalea]

Beverly Joubert: " Smile for the camera! This aggressive-looking grimace is actually the lion's way of getting a good whiff of a female's pheromones to determine if she's ready to mate or not. Lions, along with many other animals from zebras to domestic cats, perform this lip-curled snarl when inhaling important scents. Known as the flehmen response, the behaviour helps expose chemical signals to an organ in the roof of the mouth where any vital intel is processed. Although male and female lions both perform this scent-absorbing snarl, it seems to be more important to males – especially when assessing if a lioness has come into oestrus. This dominant male is testing the pheromones in a female's urine. If he senses her readiness, he'll trail close behind hoping she'll give in to his charms! "

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