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Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous. Like those of other cats, the male lion's penis has spines that point backward. During withdrawal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina, which may cause ovulation. A lioness may mate with more than one male when she is in heat. They normally mate after every 15-20 minutes for 2-3 days whilst on their honeymoon. The average gestation period is around 110 days; the female gives birth to a litter of between one and four cubs in a secluded den, which may be a thicket, a reed-bed, a cave, or some other sheltered area, usually away from the pride.
King Loki of Kilo Saba Pride was finally seen resting after many strenuous bouts of procreation during a Photography Safari on a late evening game drive, in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
A breathtaking capture of lionesses resting under the shade of a tree in Namibia's vast wilderness. Their peaceful yet powerful presence highlights the beauty of African wildlife. This moment showcases nature’s harmony and the untamed spirit of the savannah.
This is Sheru (named after the Hindi word 'sher' for lion), one of four lion brothers born on 19 November, 2016.
Sheru and his siblings are amongst the new residents at the newly-opened Sydney Zoo, in Bungarribee, New South Wales.
Here, Sheru rests in the warmth of the morning sun.
He boasts a bold mane of hair that distinguishes him easily from any of the females of his species. He is the king of his pride, courageous and strong, even if he is not always compassionate. Lions are the only cats that live in groups, called prides. He will defend his kingdom, which may include an area upward of 100 square miles, from any animal attempting to intrude. He will mark his territory with urine, and warn off intruders with a deep menacing roar. His power, is not indisputable, however, and many a competing male will try to overthrow him during his reign. It is a bold pretentious life, one that will take a toll on his longevity. Male lions live significantly shorter lives than their female counterparts. I guess, being the lion king has its risks and rewards. #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Lions #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation
Distinguished by its exceptionally beautiful, black-spotted coat, the Leopard (Panthera pardus) is also recognised for its supreme stealth and its remarkable versatility. Despite being the smallest of the ‘big cats’, the leopard is the most widespread of all wild cat species, and is well known for the variety of prey it takes, as well as its ability to occupy a range of habitats, from deserts and mountains to jungles and swamps.
Having finished eating her breakfast up an acacia tree, this magnificent female Leopard finally climbed down and proceeded to sweep the entire area burying all evidence of his prized unfinished meal which was still stacked up a tree for later. All the blood and other bits and pieces were buried within a few minutes so that any passing by scavenger doesn't pick up her scent.
Photographed during a photography safari on an early morning game drive during a in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
After an adventure following a pair of sibling cheetahs who had lost their lunch to hyenas, we found the Cheli Pride, including some very young cubs, resting near a tributary running from the Mara River.
Here, one of the lionesses rests beautifully on a mound, out in the open.
The afternoon and evening of 3 June, 2019 was mostly spent in the company of four young lions from the Cheli Pride, who were resting in the northern region of the Mara North Conservancy.
At this location, there was a male and a female, while a little further south were another male and female.
For most of the time, the lions were resting, but became more active as evening fell.
This is a young female from the Cheli Pride. Her younger age is revealed by the pink colour of her nose.
African Buffalo @ Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
All rights reserved. Thomas Retterath 2013
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The Elephant
A poem by Hilaire Belloc
When people call this beast to mind,
They marvel more and more
At such a little tail behind,
So large a trunk before.
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Poem's source : poetry.poetryx.com/
Blickkontakte sind ein wichtiges Ausdrucksmittel der Körpersprache und ein zentraler Bestandteil der Kommunikation. Kaum eine andere Mimik vermag einen so facettenreichen Ausdruck zu vermitteln.
Sie hier sagt mir doch klipp und klar: du bist in MEINER WELT - also halte dich mit gebührendem Abstand zurück.
Starke, selbstbewusste Lady!
During an all-day adventure in the Maasai Mara National Reserve south of the conservancy areas, we were fortunate to encounter lions from a pride we had met before: the Double Crossing Pride.
This impressive male lion, and a female, had been mating, and while we did not see them mate during the brief time we had with them on this visit, we did have the opportunity to view and photograph the lions.
Here, not far from his female companion, the experienced Double Crossing Pride male lion rests under the shade of a large tree up on a hill, occasionally looking at us as we snapped away.
Lions are believed to climb trees as a behavioral adaptation to protecting themselves from the constant irritation of insect bites while lazing on the ground under trees. Some animal behaviorists claim that these lions have perfected the art of climbing trees as a way of escaping the sweltering heat on ground level. This way, they can enjoy a cool breeze and blissful nap without worrying about the happenings on the ground. Moreover, this position is an excellent vantage point from which to observe the movement of prey as they cross the plains in search of grazing opportunities and water.
While lions are not physically adapted to climbing trees, these distinct groups have been able to master this skill over time and teach their young to do the same; a great example of learned behaviour as opposed to natural instinct. Lions can weigh between 250 to 400 pounds so it’s no easy feat to lug their bodies up such great heights.
Queen Neema and her cubs were photographed on an early morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, Kenya
Leopards (Panthera pardes) are the most beautiful of all the wild cats and the most elusive. Sighting one in the wild is a treat in itself let alone getting to photograph it in it's natural habitat.
The beautiful Queen Kaboso, the female Leopard was elusive as usual but we did manage to sight her finally, early in the morning coming out of the bushes going towards her resting place.
Photographed on an early morning game drive in the Double Cross area of Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
A morning shower dampens everything including the fur of Serengeti's big cats. After a morning meal, growing cubs still come back to mom for their share of tender loving care and social grooming. Allogrooming, or social grooming between members of a same species, is an important way in which animals build relationships, trust, and strengthen family and social bonds. If you ask me, it's also pretty darned cute! #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Lions #LionCubs #DrDADBooks #WildlifeConservation
Lion cubs playing and prancing around, waiting for their mother to return from a chase@ Masaimara, Kenya
If I had to choose a gaze that I find truly mesmerizing, I would have to pick that of the leopard. Eyes that seem as wide a saucer with an iris of brilliant green encircled by a rim of golden foil. It’s a gaze that seems to pierce its subject to the core, freezing them in their tracks. I have more than once stared intently into the eyes of a leopard at close range. The sheer power and determination of its glare inspired awe as well as trepidation and I felt truly lucky to be in the safety of a vehicle at the time. #Leopard
The Ekunyai Pride females had brought down a wildebeest during the night and by the time we got to them at sunrise they were just finishing there much needed meal.
The cubs had all eaten and were busy playing with each other whilst the females were polishing off the left over carcass before they all went down to the stream to quench their thirst and sleep the rest of the day off.
This very handsome King Olbarnoti of the Ekunyai pride was seen walking away and looking for his brother Lolparpit who was already seated in the open savannah plains and this was captured on a Photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
It's commonly thought that a pride of lion comprises a single dominant male and his females, this is not the case. A territory is held by several males in partnership known as a coalition. There can be between two or more males in a coalition and their territory overlaps with a number of different mutually exclusive female territories. Working as a team, it is easier to dispossess older lions of their domain and keep hyenas at bay, lions’ chief competition. Collectively the males are a stronger force, can defend a larger territory and protect more females. They will split up to do patrols but rejoin as necessity requires. The coalition may be, but not always, made up of brothers. In this instance, the cooperative effort serves the perpetuity of the family genes.
King Olbarnoti and his elder brother Lolparpit are the proud owners of the Ekunyei pride.
King Olbarnoti was seen very well fed after the previous nights hunt and was photographed during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
During our time late one afternoon in the Mara North Conservancy with four young lions from the Cheli Pride, one of the lionesses yawned during her afternoon rest, before later becoming more active as night fell.
Distinguished by its exceptionally beautiful, black-spotted coat, the Leopard (Panthera pardus) is also recognised for its supreme stealth and its remarkable versatility. Despite being the smallest of the ‘big cats’, the leopard is the most widespread of all wild cat species, and is well known for the variety of prey it takes, as well as its ability to occupy a range of habitats, from deserts and mountains to jungles and swamps.
The leopard can be individually identified by its spot pattern. Its distinctive black spots contrast with the pale background coat colour and the white underparts. Small, solid black spots mark the head, throat, chest and lower limbs, with larger black patches on the belly. The leopard’s back, flanks and upper limbs are patterned with pale-centred rosettes, which vary greatly in shape and size.
A superb predator, the leopard has a long, well-muscled body, thick, short limbs, and broad, powerful paws. Its powerful jaws enable it to kill and dismember prey, while particularly long, sensitive whiskers allow the leopard to ‘feel’ its way as it hunts at night. Several long hairs in the eyebrows help protect the eyes from vegetation as it moves through the undergrowth. The leopard is also an extremely agile climber, with heavily-muscled shoulders and forelimbs which aid it in climbing, pinning down prey and hauling prey into trees.
Photographed on an early morning game drive in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The sun creeps over the caldera rim bathing everything in a warm, welcoming glow, and painting the lion in a palette of hospitable calm. He stares austerely across the meadow. The dawn’s early light does not betray his stealth, wicked bloodlust, and fiercely competitive nature. Despite a propensity to slumber, he leads a life in the fast lane and like all who do, his resplendent days are numbered. #Lions
Während sich die Gnus bei ihrer jährlichen Wanderung durch die Serengeti immer wieder hektisch einen geeigneten Crossingpoint über den für sie gefährlichen Mara River suchen, lauern im Hintergrund die Löwen und warten nur auf den passenden Moment.
While the wildebeest on their annual migration through the Serengeti are always frantically looking for a suitable crossing point over the Mara River, which is dangerous for them, the lions are lurking in the background, just waiting for the right moment.
Kenia - Masai Mara
All rights reserved. © Uli Assmann
QENP | UGANDA
A small herd of elephants creating a roadblock after a mudbath, when crossing the dusty road and went to business.
In Kenia gibt es seit Jahren Schutzgebiete, in denen die sanften Riesen gut bewacht leben können.
Der Solio Park zum Beispiel liegt etwas abseits von den üblichen Routen für Safari-Reisen direkt am Fuße des Mt. Kenya. Ein absoluter Geheimtipp für die Beobachtung von Spitzmaul- als auch Breitmaulnashörnern.
Ich habe sie bisher in freier Wildbahn nur als sehr sanfte und friedfertige Tiere kennengelernt. In der Riege der "Big Five" kommen sie meines Erachtens immer zu kurz weg - völlig zu unrecht!
Ich hoffe, dass auch spätere Generationen diese tollen Tiere noch in freier Wildbahn erleben können.
Solio - Kenia
Gentle giants - and yet threatened
In Kenya, there have been protected areas for years where the gentle giants can live well guarded.
Solio Park, for example, is located a bit off the beaten track for safari trips directly at the foot of Mt. Kenya. An absolute insider tip for the observation of black as well as white rhinos.
So far I have only met them in the wild as very gentle and peaceful animals. In my opinion, they always come off too short in the ranks of the "Big Five" - completely unjustly!
I hope that later generations will still be able to experience these great animals in the wild.
Solio - Kenya
All rights reserved. © Uli Assmann