In The Lion Inside book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, Lion is the bossiest creature around, showing off his authority with his loud roar. He has no trouble asserting himself in the savannah, just as real lions communicate their dominance over a territory with their roars. But as with any animal, lions’ behaviour differs according to their environment. Let’s take a look at how habitat affects lion behaviour.

Pride size and hunting

Habitat has a significant impact on the size of a pride and the way lions hunt. Lions that live in the open savannah can form large prides and can coordinate more complex hunts. They may take down larger prey, such as buffalo, wildebeest or giraffe. Smaller prides living in scrubby woodland or open forest  are more likely to focus on smaller prey such as antelope. When prey is abundant, males and females tend to share kills, which are large enough to sustain all pride members. Asiatic lions, which live in the Gir Forest in India, more commonly hunt in small groups or alone due to the area’s dense, thorny vegetation that provides more cover. Males and females don’t typically work together during hunts, and females defend their territory without male involvement.

Water intake

In areas where there is more rainfall or better access to water sources, lions will get their water from lakes, waterholes and temporary rain pools. Those that live in drier habitats, such as the Kalahari Desert, get most of their water from the blood and fluids of their prey, and may even drink from plants such as the Tsamma melon to stay hydrated.

Mating behaviour

Lions’ environment has a big impact on their mating behaviour. A 2020 study showed that African lions are more likely to mate when their preferred prey has recently given birth. In late October and between January and March, animals such as zebra and kudu are giving birth, meaning that pregnant lions have easy access to prey without having to take part in strenuous hunts that use up their energy. Conversely, the constant abundance of prey in the Gir Forest means that Asiatic lions can mate year-round, although some sources suggest that mating peaks in October and November.

Roaring

Studies have shown that female lions living in the Serengeti roar less during times when prey is scarce. Equally, female Asiatic lions living in the Gir Forest also roar less than some of their African relatives. It’s thought that this is because they hunt smaller animals and want to avoid being tracked by males who may steal their kills.

The Lion Inside

In The Lion Inside, Mouse sets out to find his roar from the best teacher he can think of: the lion who lives on top of the rock. Along the way, he learns an unexpected lesson that changes his perspective. For fans of the book, The Lion Inside stage show is an unmissable experience, retelling the story with songs, dance and puppetry. Book your tickets today and join the adventure!