Lions use many parts of their bodies to communicate their feelings, with the most important part being their face. This signals to any nomadic lion that he is in another lion’s territory. Males also leave a calling card in the area consisting of a scent mixed with urine on bushes and turfs of grass (Animal Behavior p72). To use this organ, the lion shuts off its nose, curls its upper lip, and sucks air through its mouth. They can smell other cats using an extra smell organ called the Jacobson’s organ. Scent communicates with other lions where they have been and how long ago. Lions have many scent glands on their cheeks, lips, forehead, chin, tail, and even between their toes. When lions are relaxing they show affection by licking gently or gnawing at each other. Their hard bumpy tongues are used to comb each other’s fur and remove ticks. Grooming each other helps the pride bond with each other. Lions from the same pride greet each other by rubbing their cheeks, necks, and bodies together. This signals that the lion means business – an indication of his strength and intention to fight. If staring isn’t enough to scare off the intruders, a lion will let out a powerful roar. They stand at the borders and stare down those who have ventured too close for comfort. Lions also form coalitions, often made up of male relatives, to patrol the claimed areas. They use urine to delineate the borders of their territory the scent warns others that crossing the line means certain conflict. Lions also communicate with lions from outside the pride that attempt to compete with them for resources or territory. Baring teeth essentially says “don’t mess with me.” The large teeth of the lion are certainly functional, but they also serve to let others know just how powerful their bite can be. But, this is not their only signaling tool. The male’s size and attitude of eerie calm are often sufficient to let any upstarts know to back off. The impressive mane of the male gives the appearance of a large head, and therefore the impression of a significant threat. And, lions also show affection in their own special way when relaxing by licking gently or gnawing at each other. They also communicate by example, as in a staged hunt where cubs are shown how the hunt is done. This is often done with a quick swat of the paw or a gentle bite to the neck. Dominant males are most apt to let a pride member know when he or she is out of order. Lions communicate with one another through a variety of methods, including body language, appearance, behavior, touch, scent, and vocalization. Lions are social animals, so after all that sleeping and relaxation (up to 20 hours a day), hunting and eating, the other important aspect of the lion’s life is communicating. Still, the language of most cats is less developed and complicated than that of other animals. As a result, lions produce a greater variety of sounds. This level of communication is greater for lions than for other large cats (leopards, cheetahs), which are more antisocial than lions.

However, living in such close contact requires that lions have very effective communication to live together successfully. Both males and females hunt for the pride and help defend against predators. Each pride has its own hierarchical system, with one dominant male as the master of the pride and territory. The pride contains one or more males, who are often brothers, and related adult females and their cubs.

A pride can be composed of up to thirty lions, although most are smaller. Unlike most large cats, lions are very social animals that live in prides.

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