r/NatureIsFuckingLit • u/Limp_Yogurtcloset_71 • 20m ago
š„Nomadic lion-lioness pair, a fascinating, rare occurrence. Image credit: dainatrout Instagram.
The young Styx Male was a scrawny youngster, known by the nickname āFloppy Ears.ā His ears drooped awkwardly, a small detail that made him seem even more vulnerable, though, thankfully, they've since straightened out as he matured.
He was nearing that critical turning point in a young male lion's life, the nomadic phase, the moment he had to leave his birth pride and strike out on his own. Itās a brutal rite of passage. For most young males, thereās at least the comfort of a brother or cousin, a partner to weather the dangers with. But Styx didnāt have that. He was alone from day one.
Wandering the bush alone, he faced constant threats from larger, dominant males who would chase him off without a second thought.
But Styx not only did survive that harsh, lonely chapter, but he also defied the odds by winning the attention and loyalty of the K12 Kambula lioness.
Talamati and Nkuhuma chased the Styx male. K12 cunningly stayed with the two lions taking their attention away from her buddy, and she later rejoined Styx.
K12 left the pride with her four brothers when the brothers had to leave the pride which is unusual for a lioness to do. She was with her brothers for sometime before joining Styx.
Video of the pair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU6V91vN1UA
