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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 the Kilo Saba Pride is seen busy in procreation during a Photography Safari on a late evening game drive just as the sun was setting in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Ein Afrikanischer Elefant im Moremi-Wildreservat (Okavangodelta, Botswana).
An African Bush Elephant in the Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta, Botswana).
Featured on Flickr Explore #27 on 2026-05-29.
The eldest female in a Pride is the "Queen of the Jungle" as she is the one who keeps the pride together and disciplines anybody who gets out of line. She is also in the lead of all hunting expeditions passing on her wisdom to the younger Lionesses.
This beautiful lioness was eagerly looking towards the days activities of the rest of the pride which may result in a successful hunt to feed them.
This beautiful Lionesses of the Enkoyanai pride, was captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Fantastic experience watching this mother cheetah & her two sub adult cubs awaken from their slumber & set about the hunt on the plains of Northern Tuli game reserve, Botswana in the gorgeous morning golden light
Die Leopardin "Luluka" im wunderschönen Morgenlicht (Masai Mara, Kenia).
The leopardess "Luluka" in the beautiful morning light (Maasai Mara, Kenya).
Featured on Flickr Explore #37 0n 2025-08-02.
The Enkoyanai 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 two males of the pride were sitting a distance from the females and cubs. The cubs had all had their fill 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.
Captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Featured on Flickr Explore #59 on 2025-10-14.
Lion, (Panthera leo), large, powerfully built cat (family Felidae) that is second in size only to the tiger. The proverbial “king of beasts,” the lion has been one of the best-known wild animals since earliest times. Lions are most active at night and live in a variety of habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland.
The male’s outstanding characteristic is his mane, which varies between different individuals and populations. It may be entirely lacking; it may fringe the face; or it may be full and shaggy, covering the back of the head, neck, and shoulders and continuing onto the throat and chest to join a fringe along the belly. In some lions the mane and fringe are very dark, almost black, giving the cat a majestic appearance. Manes make males look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates.
King Loki of the Kilo Saba Pride was captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Featured on Flickr Explore #29 on 2025-01-24.
Most lionesses reproduce by the time they are four years of age. Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous.
Usually, the mother does not integrate herself and her cubs back into the pride until the cubs are six to eight weeks old. Sometimes this introduction to pride life occurs earlier, particularly if other lionesses have given birth at about the same time. When first introduced to the rest of the pride, lion cubs lack confidence when confronted with adults other than their mother. They soon begin to immerse themselves in the pride life, however, playing among themselves or attempting to initiate play with the adults.
The Queen of Rekero was resting in the grass nearby as her three very cute cubs were busy playing with each other. Photographed on a late evening game drive in the Rekero area of Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Half Tail, a well known nomad from Maasai Mara, has been a nomad for quite a few years.
He recently joined up with Logol, another single male and have successfully established themselves as the proud males of the very famous Marsh Pride.
Captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Hamerkop landing on elephant in the Luangwa river, South Luangwa NP, Zambia
All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2011
Featured on Flickr Explore #23 on 2026-01-11.
The Black Rock Pride had brought down an adult Buffalo during the night and by the time the sun was rising the whole pride had assembled and were busy feeding on the carcass. As per protocol the big boys have their fill first after which the females and the cubs join in creating havoc over the meal.
One of the young cubs of the Black Rock Pride took a breather and lifted his blood messed face out of the carcass and was captured on a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive very near to the Talek Gate, in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
This female leopard was photographed in the wild in the Kgalagadi. This is a non-B&W version of a B&W version posted earlier.
The highlight of an afternoon game drive in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve was encountering leopardess Tiyani for the fifth time in five days.
She was sitting out in the open, perched atop a mound so that she could survey her territory, always on the lookout for both prey and predators.
Tiyani was mostly relaxed, but always alert to her surroundings as the afternoon wore on.
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 in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Captured in the heart of Namibia’s wild landscapes, this stunning photograph showcases a majestic African elephant as it approaches a waterhole. The textured skin, powerful tusks, and gentle movements highlight the resilience and grace of these gentle giants. A perfect moment from Etosha National Park, where wildlife thrives in its natural habitat.
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 is seen busy in procreation on a late evening game drive just as the sun was setting in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Cattle Egret Bird (Ardea ibis) and Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Malelane, Kruger National Park, South Africa.
During a recent trip to Kenya, our group visited this memorial for rhinos killed by poachers. Surrounding this tree are graves of rhinos. One of these graves is for Sudan, the last male northern white rhino. The last two living members of this species are both female, mother and daughter. Sudan's sperm has been used for artificial insemination in a last-ditch effort to save this species, now on the brink of extinction due to poaching.
Die Leopardin "Luluka" in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
The leopardess "Luluka" in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
Most lionesses reproduce by the time they are four years of age. Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous.
Usually, the mother does not integrate herself and her cubs back into the pride until the cubs are six to eight weeks old. Sometimes this introduction to pride life occurs earlier, particularly if other lionesses have given birth at about the same time. When first introduced to the rest of the pride, lion cubs lack confidence when confronted with adults other than their mother. They soon begin to immerse themselves in the pride life, however, playing among themselves or attempting to initiate play with the adults.
The Queen of Enkoyanai Pride was sleeping and wanted to rest but the hungry cubs were eager to suckle and were repeatedly trying to feed until the mother got up and expressed her displeasure. Capture on a Photography safari on an early morning game drive in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
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Featured on Flickr Explore #41 on 2023-08-10.
Five sad facts about the "King of Animals":
1. Africa’s lion population has reduced by approximately 43% over the past 21 years according to the IUCN. This big cat species (Panthera leo) is listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable; facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
2. An estimated 20,000 lions are left in the wild. They are extinct in 26 African countries and have disappeared from 90% of their historical roaming grounds.
3. In South Africa, there are currently more lions kept in captivity for canned hunting purposes than there are in the wild. None of the animals being kept in captivity can be used in relocation or conservation programmes as they are often tame and genetically contaminated.
4. Sub-Saharan Africa is developing and expanding at a rapid rate, resulting in the lions facing habitat destruction, loss of their prey base to the bush meat trade and, ultimately, human-lion conflict.
5. At the rate that we are currently going, it is estimated that lions will be extinct in the wild by 2050
To read more about this global campaign aimed at celebrating the importance of lions and to raise awareness of their plight, please visit the World Lion Day website.
King Olobor of the Black Rock Pride was captured busy feeding before sunrise, during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Most lionesses reproduce by the time they are four years of age. 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 Olobor of Black Rock Pride was trying to entice the Queen of Maji ya Fisi Pride who was not interested in his advances. Captured during a Photography Safari on a late evening game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.