Exhausting!

Mating is a very exhausting business for Lions. Once a female in estrous has found a suitable male they will stay together and mate in intervals of 20 to 30 minutes over 3 to 5 days.

During that period they usually do not eat, and only drink if they get an easy opportunity.

The female sleeps in between the copulations, but the male gets much less rest. He is on constant watch to be ready once the Lioness wakes up for the next session.

After waking up she will usually start walking away from him for a short distance before condoning to his advances. The male will often rub along her side or bite her tail.

At the end of the mating period the intervals between mating will get longer and longer before they part company and go their separate ways. (Note: In my 11 years at Thanda I have observed that the male Lion only spends very limited time with his prides and therefore usually goes his own way after mating).

These pictures, taken in very low light after sunset, documenting such a session.

Technical data pictures: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 102400 | WB 6500K | 1/500sec | f 6.3 | Various focal length

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