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(06-30-2017, 02:59 PM)sundarbans Wrote: What are the intra-coalition relationships and hierarchy within the Birmingham males?
Nsuku is the most dominant followed by Nhena, Tinyo and Mfumo
Mfumo becomes aggressive against Tinyo and they fight each other frequently
Why do you think Nhenha is more dominant than Mfumo and Tinyo ?
I do remember he eating the Carcass first few months ago and also I think he is older than Tinyo and Mfumo
But the other three males are seen mating a lot more often specially Nsuku and Mfumo, I would say the hierarchy right now is Nsuku/Mfumo/Tinyo/Nhenha but who knows it´s actually hard to tell with the BB´s they are rarely seen together so there isn´t a lot of sightings of the four interacting at carcasses or them fighting for mating rights other than Mfumo and Tinyo who are constantly clashing and seems like Mfumo has been getting the better of him lately.
Are the Birminghams rarely seen together because they split during patrols? And do any of them show a strong preference among their coalition brothers? (like Dark Mane and Scar Nose of the Majingilane or Kinky Tail and Mr. T of the Mapogos)
(06-30-2017, 09:25 PM)sundarbans Wrote: Are the Birminghams rarely seen together because they split during patrols? And do any of them show a strong preference among their coalition brothers? (like Dark Mane and Scar Nose of the Majingilane or Kinky Tail and Mr. T of the Mapogos)
I've seen videos or pictures of all the Birmingham's mating with various members of the Nkuhuma & Styx Prides over the last 18 months. The only scuffles over females which I've seen video or pictures from is when Mfumo beat Tinyo in November 2016 & Nsuku beat 1 of the other 3 in February 2017.
"MALAMALA TODAY: June 30th. The roars of lions have dominated the night skies over MalaMala recently and last night was no different. Lions could be heard through the night both opposite and south of Main Camp. This time the culprits opposite camp were 3 of the Gowrie males! It's been a while since we've viewed the coalition this far south and they meant business."
(07-01-2017, 04:39 AM)Agerceno Wrote: The only scuffles over females which I've seen video or pictures from is when Mfumo beat Tinyo in November 2016 & Nsuku beat 1 of the other 3 in February 2017.
From the ones I saw, only one time #4 only seemed to be dominant over #3. Just that one time. The rest of times, #3 cleared the floor with him, and even the lionesses scuffed him over nothing, usually #3 being the one causing the problem and the women loved him anyway.
Try to look at some of the older broadcasts of the live safari, we have some here in the older posts and I'm sure youtube has a lot.
And also, consider how he got that little scar beneath his eye. To me, that was a fight from #3, most likely.
In lions, intra-coalition especifically, I see dominance established in two ways:
1- Women,
2- Food.
Sometimes it happens that the one who gets the girls is second when it comes to food( I saw it happen with the Southern Matimba males), and others the one that is dominant with the lionesses is also the first when it comes to eating( like Dark mane Majingilane).
Lions aren't like wolves, where the Alpha decides who eats after him and who has to wait. No.
Lions take what they want, if those who don't, for whatever reason, end up behind in the hierarchy.
Asking for permission is for weaklings among lions, and this is why a smaller but bolder lion will be the better of another that may be bigger in body size, like is the case with male #4.
The rest of the time, they are pretty chill (read: lazy) about life in general and there isn't one that says where they'll go that morning. If one gets up, they'll just follow or even follow the females.