I arrive at the appointed place in the lodge where we gather before each game drive. There is no one there, not even Marg, who is always early, so either I'm the first, or I'm late, and everyone has gone without me. (How dare they!)
It turns out that I'm early, and the rest of the group soon shows up. It's still dark, but we don't need security escorts because Bashi has scouted out the area around our rooms to make sure there aren't any critters about that might cause a problem.
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A nice sunrise appears as we leave camp.
Down in the riverbed where the lioness with cubs is, we find what I assume is the alpha male of the pride. He's sound asleep.
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| "Momma, are you sleeping?" |
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| "Mom! Wake up!" |
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| "I just needed a nuzzle, Mom." |
*FYI: The Flehman response is not limited to lions only. According to AI:
- Equids: Horses, zebras, and donkeys frequently use this to identify the reproductive status of others.
- Felids: Domestic cats, tigers, and lions use it to analyze scents, often after sniffing urine or markings.
- Ungulates: Goats, sheep, giraffes, giraffes, buffalo, and elk, particularly males, use this during the mating season.
- Other Mammals: Elephants, llamas, camels, and tapirs are known to display this behavior.
A curious note: Rhinos establish a latrine area called a midden, which can grow, with repeated usage, to 10 or 12 feet in diameter. Many rhinos use the same spot, with the middle reserved for the alpha male. It is the social media center for the rhinos and the scents there provide much the same info as exhibited by the Flehman actions.
Aren't you glad you read all the way to the end of this chapter?
With that sweet thought, it's on to the next chapter. It's about hysterical elephant aunties.
Quite an educational post Gullible!! Fun to see the Cub who needed a nuzzle. That alpha male really seemed awakened from a deep sleep.. pretty sleepy-eyed. Beautiful sunrise. Patti and Cap
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