A dangerous time for a young lion

by Darren

It’s been a tiring day for this juvenile male lion. He’s resting on a patch of muddy ground in the Masai Mara – with the pride around him. He’s still very young, his mane is only beginning to grow and it’s a long time before he’ll be in a position to be selected by a female for mating (females often choose their partner based on the length, thickness and colour of the mane).

It’s a dangerous time, dominant males may choose to attack the juvenile to enforce control and the young male’s place in the pride is no longer secure from about 2 years old. Some lions (and many fewer lionesses) will become nomads and wander a large range – sometimes, but not always, joining a new pride.

But that’s all in the future. For now, the priority is a long nap in the sun.