Lions in South-Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia

[Spalea]

" Of all the big cat species in the world, lions are the most social and so this is a given bond from day one until its last.

They live together in sociable groups known as prides which can range in size from 4 up to 35 members. These prides include a single or multiple adult males, related females and the pride's cubs. In general, the more members a pride has, the stronger it is relative to rival prides. The pride’s females also prefer to have more males watching over the pride as this helps to ensure the survival of their cubs.
Now from day one of a cubs life, an instant bond would have been created. This is to ensure the success of a pride. The members will need to be tight knit and one way in which they can strengthen these bonds is through this social behaviour referred to nuzzling and/or head rubbing.
The behavior provides not only tactile stimulation, but it may also play a role in sensory communication. Furthermore, this head rubbing often leads to allogrooming and this all reverts back to reinforcing bonds within pride.
Images and text: @Michael.laubscher
Wild Eye Expedition and Tour Leader "

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