Facts About Lionesses You Probably Do NOT Know

Most of the time, when we hear the word “lion,” we imagine an image of a big, fierce cat roaring and sporting its thick mane – most of it is a product of what we see on TV, in my case, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s classic movie introductions. This image of a lion makes us think they are the deadliest predators in their pride, but just like in a chess game, the queen gets the most kill.

These are the five reasons why you should not mess with a lioness, the queen of the jungle.

1.     Lionesses decide who's in or who's out.

Lions get to join a pride not because they are born in the pride but because the lionesses accept them. After around 3 to 5 years of becoming the pride’s alpha, the lion gets kicked out from the hierarchy.

I took this photo of a lioness at Itozu Zoo in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan

2.       Lionesses can kill previously dominant males in the pride.

Sometimes, kicking out a stubborn old cat means trouble. Lionesses usually outnumber the males in their pride, thus making it easier for them to kick out or, in some instances, kill their pride males.

 

3.       Lionesses are the primary hunters in their pride.

A lion can run at a speed of about 35 mph, while lionesses can go as fast as 50 mph in short distances, making them the more efficient hunters in their pride.

 

4.       Ultra-amazing vision

A lion’s vision is six times more light-sensitive than a human eye. Combined with speed, this makes the lionesses lethal night hunters.

 

5.       Lionesses are excellent mothers.

Lionesses keep their birth process a secret and away from the pride, as male lions can kill the cubs if they want to. Lionesses also take care of the cubs which are not theirs and help other lion mothers in feeding and protecting their cubs.