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.
(03-08-2023, 12:33 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Lions don't get sexual education, so they dont really connect childbirth with sex. Nor do they have a concept of time.
So whichever coalition that happens to be around to when the cubs are introduced isn't going to count back the months to see if they could be the father.
Its more likely going to depend on whether or not they are willing or able to form an emotional connection with the cubs.
She may luck out and every male ends up accepting the cubs.
Though most likely the cubs end up having the scent of the male that they are first introduced to. Resulting in the other males rejecting them when they come around.
I am not optimistic about their chances.
Your continual use of 'sex' in relation to animals sounds a bit inappropriate and out-of-place. In addition, you have used 'horny' even. These words are used for humans on an informal level (wouldn't even use them on boards such as these in reference to people. It's because we are not on THAT familiar terms around unknown posters, and feels weird all-around), and we wouldn't usually use these words for lions or any other animals. Most would use terms like 'mate', 'estrous,' 'in heat, etc.' It's also part of anthropomorphizing animals unobjectively. I remember someone else calling you out on this, too.
Studies have shown male lions know subconsciously about how long a pregnancy should take and if the lionesses do not time their births very well, the males might not be fooled. I'm not sure how savvy these 2 lionesses are to be hanging out so easily with 3 different coalitions and expecting all of them to believe they are 100% the sires, but that is essentially what they will try to accomplish. They could very well have played a winning game if they know the males' characters and timed it quite convincingly. Will be exciting to see how it all ends up once the cubs make their arrival.