Why would a coalition of male lions not stay with lionesses?

Question

I've been reading up on the Mapogo lions, a coalition of six full-sized males, full manes. They are seen mating with lionesses from at least three local prides, killed and chased away a coalition of two males in charge of a pride and killed some lionesses' cubs. But they generally roam the land (Sabi Sands area Africa) together. They don't seem to stick to any pride, and I am wondering why because how could they insure the growth of their offspring if they are not guarding the cubs they've fathered? Is that normal lion behavior?

Answer 1

g*y lions?

Answer 2

This is not exactly common, but it does happen from time to time - male lions will take over more than one pride, so as to obtain mating rights to as many females as possible. For example, at one point, of the six prides living in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, four were controlled by the same males. When this happens, the males will visit each pride regularly to replace their scent-marks around the territory and to check if any of the lionesses are in heat. If one or more of the lionesses in one of the prides is receptive, they will stay and mate for the duration of the heat, then continue as before. Even males with only one pride do not spend all their time with the lionesses and cubs - they roam all over the territory, scent-marking and checking for intruders. If the males you mention have killed their nearest rivals, the main threat to their cubs has already been removed. Also, they have a better chance of some of their offspring surviving to adulthood simply through numbers - the more lionesses they mate with, the more cubs they father, and the better the odds of some of them making it.

Answer 3

They have created a super pride.  think of it as the lion equivalent to a government.  they ensure their offsprings survival by killing off the compitition.  the lions don't actually have to be there.  just make sure no other male lion is around.  the dynamic isn't stable though, meaning it won't last through the generation, as it depends on a unique interaction among too many players.

Answer 4

Well you do have a coalition and there are also nomads as well.

This group seems to be somewhere between the coalition with a pride and nomadic.

They can't totally guard their cubs but by their numbers they can mark the territory and defend it that these three prides are within. I would assume that any other lions coming within would sense this to a degree and either back off or take their chances against the six.

I do not think this is normal lion behavior. I am curious myself as to the source of this behavior that is to my knowledge is not typical for lions.