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.
(09-15-2023, 07:47 AM)sik94 Wrote: There are advantages and disadvantages of bigger coalitions(5-7). They initialy disrupt the dynamics within an area that might contain upto 6 or so prides which is then followed by atleast 3 years of complete stability. This can be good for prides that are struggling to exist/grow due to high competition between smaller coalitions. There's a reason we see Mapogo/Majingalane/Matimba bloodlines in almost every major pride within Sabi Sands.
Numbers are always an advantage for a coalition I think, it gives you power and protection when you're young and inexperienced. A coalition splitting isn't a bad thing, the perfect way is to start out as a big coalition of 6-7. You might lose a few members by the time you have been dominant for a few years so that splitting situation never arises. If all 6 or 7 do happen to be alive by the 2nd or 3rd year, splitting isn't a bad thing at all at that point. With bigger coalitions it's the first few years where you can really make a difference, smaller coalitions just don't have that luxury and have to do the heavy lifting early on with very little reward.
(09-15-2023, 01:55 AM)BA0701 Wrote: someone will always get unhappy with their share of the spoils
I disagree with this pov. I don't think this is ever the reason for a split. As a lion you'll always have to fight for your part of the kill, that's just part of life. There's no such thing as being 'unhappy' about it, the bigger the coalition the more they will have to hunt. Anything they catch will be gone within minutes and all of them would be equally motivated to make a second kill moments later. The only time I see this being an issue is when a member is sick or injured and isn't in a condition to fight for his share at the dinner table.
Interesting take but I think splitting has its advantages for sure but it’s also based off what type of split - are the two coalitions controlling adjacent prides or do they separate for good with no contact between each other and if they do come into the same presence it’s as rivals. I do agree that 6/7 is a very nice number as it gives the coalition a cushion for losses and still allows them to be a powerful force but it can also be a burden. Remember watching a documentary about sub-adults who had been kicked out of a pride albeit they were twice the size of the numbers we’ve mentioned (12 strong), anyways the breakaway was made up of mostly males and a few of their sisters but due to their extreme size, they couldn’t hunt enough food for themselves never mind the whole breakaway, by the end of it I can’t remember if they all died or if 2/3 barely survived. I’d also argue 3/4 better prepares the coalition for the future, obviously they’re not as powerful but it exposes the reality to them that a sense of fear is necessary to survive, look at most coalitions ranging from 6/7 members and I guarantee there’s atleast one or more members that have died purely because of the fact they believed they had nothing to fear, they’ve charged an intruding coalition by themselves or they’ve went exploring for females belonging to other prides and haven’t returned. The smaller coalitions learn how to use their numbers wisely.
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