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.
(07-15-2020, 08:23 PM)Cath2020 Wrote: Common in humans? I disagree, but we're not here to argue that point. And I'm aware that infanticide is common in lions, generally speaking.
I tend to think that animals are a bit smarter and more aware than we give them credit for. The fact that Satan committed infanticide in the way he did, to the extent he did, is a bit over-the-top. I just find it ironic that his coalition brothers calmly accepted him back into the fold without even a nip or fuss.....and he turns around and "re-pays" them by killing their own cubs. At that point, they were aware that they couldn't really make a big fight out of it since they had already accepted him back, therefore they had to almost accept what he did later on by default. They probably didn't anticipate he would systematically eliminate their progeny. After all, what is a coalition for, their very reason to exist, if not to protect and promote their own bloodline??? Unfortunate for the Mapogo coalition as a whole, too, because some of their 11 cubs could have formed future coalitions and they were probably the last chance for any male lions to survive. In addition, we could have had more lionesses from them than the rather paltry numbers they ended up being considering they conquered at least 9 prides and took over 80% of Sabi Sands. They should have had many, many more surviving offspring. It's very odd....even considering the fate of the 11 cubs sired by 4 of them.
Because of this situation, lionesses mate with all members of coalition, to "trick" them that all of them are fathers, otherwise cubs are in danger if they would mate with only 1 male out of 4 for example..
Great example is N. Avocas with Talamatis and Nkuhumas, both pride females mate with all 3 males (maybe not all females) even if DM is with Talamatis and Nkuhumas are with Mohawk/Blondie, just because of this situation.. If DM for example came to Nkuhumas now, cubs would be in serious danger if he didnt mate with those lionesses..
Mr T didn't mate with those lionesses, and he did what his insticts tell him, to kill those cubs to mate with those lionesses and raise his offspring, thats all..
Thats lions world, it has nothing to do with Mr T being "evil" or idk. Maybe less agressive and dominant male wouldn't do that, but we dont know that..
I'm well aware of all this. I didn't mention anything about females mating with lots of male lions to "trick" them. I was merely pointing out that it was kind of shocking that Satan eliminated ALL of his nephews and nieces....after his brothers accepted him back. Even if they were only driven by instinct, they would hardly have "known" he'd instinctively do this, but then again, lions don't calculate the next actions of other lions very deliberately like humans. It would have been more "normal" if he'd killed a few, half, or a bit more in hindsight, since he could have mated with some of the lionesses already as there were likely various litters.... but that was not the case... Obviously others also didn't find his actions were altogether normal since he got the nickname "Satan" after the killings.
For your information, I also read that he would kill lionesses just for refusing to mate with him. No, most male lions wouldn't take it to that extreme lengths. This was also definitely peculiar behavior.
I just find it fascinating overall, the uniqueness of the coalition, however "good" or "bad" we might find it. Am I glad they are not the 'norm'? Probably....since there were lots of killing of other lions and cannibalizing.