We aren’t going to go too deeply into a discussion of the relative intelligence levels of the big cats here, but it struck me the other day that a grasp of basic arithmetic would be quite important in lionesses.
A couple of years ago Ranger Nick Sims (the original one, not the one here now. Yes there have been two Nick Sims working as rangers here in the last few years!) captured some amazing footage of one of the Tsalala lionesses carrying her cubs down the middle of the Manyelethi riverbed to a new densite amongst some huge boulders:
She had two cubs in that litter, and after carrying the second cub to the new site, it was assumed that she would settle down with the pair and maybe nurse them, or at least help them become familiar with their new surroundings. Instead, the lioness re-emerged from the den and walked back up the river to the the original den. She sniffed around, and then finding nothing of interest, returned to the cubs a couple of hundred metres away.
Now, I don’t profess to know what was going on in her mind; she may well have had a valid reason for returning to the original den, but as far as I could tell, she was simply going back to fetch another cub. Given that this cub didn’t exist, there was nothing to fetch and so she simply went back to the original two.
Two cubs. How could a lioness get that wrong, one wonders.
It’s not often we see such an incredible sight as a lioness moving dens. In fact it’s hardly ever. But that example did cast a light on the question of intelligence vs. simple stimulus-response behaviour in lions. I will admit I am a subscriber to the latter theory, in that I believe lions are simply hyper-complex sensory organisms that are reacting to far subtler environmental cues than we have the capacity to detect or appreciate, which on many levels makes them appear more intelligent than they actually are. We can debate this another time, but when it comes to the matter of cubs, I would hope that a lioness would know how many she had, whereas it appeared (note: appeared, as I don’t know for sure) that the Tsalala female didn’t in the case I just mentioned.
Lionesses surely don’t have the capacity to grasp the concept of numerics, but they must somehow be able to know when all of their cubs are present or not.
Thinking back over sightings I’ve had – during each of which I probably wasn’t thinking of this as much as I am now – there have been multiple times in which I have seen lionesses return for cubs that have been left behind. I can also think of times when Lionesses haven’t gone back, or at least at first looked like they haven’t realised that cubs are missing.
The Ntsevu pride at the moment is raising 13 cubs between 4 lionesses, and we will often see a split in the cubs; some lionesses will take some this way, and some will take others that way. It hasn’t always been a case of each litter sticking together, and the division of cubs can at times (at least to us) seem rather haphazard. Some get left at one spot, some at another. It’s quite possible that in bigger prides, when the number of cubs can often be well over ten, it will take longer for concern to spark amongst the lionesses that all the cubs aren’t present.
With so many cubs in the pride at the moment, how do the Ntsevu females keep track? It’s certainly not through roll-call.
Instead of counting, maybe it’s a case of facial recognition; lionesses can identify individual cubs in their own litter, and when a face isn’t ringing any bells – or to word that more specifically, when a specific bell isn’t being rung – that’s when a lioness gets agitated as she realises a cub is missing.
I still can’t work it out. Maybe some lionesses are smarter than others. perhaps some are simply better mothers. I certainly think it’s more likely that recognition is what their relationships and actions are based on, rather than an appreciation of an integer chain.
One of the main reasons theorised to have pushed the human race along so quickly in our evolution over the last 10000 years or so is the idea of imagination; we are able to conceptualise things that don’t exist. Without going into too much detail on how that works for us (read Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari for more), it’s probably fair to say that lions are lacking in this department.
Stimulus-response. That – at least in my mind – is what they’re all about, as I doubt the Ntsevu females can count to 13…
Difficult to explain James.. I would say our own intelligence would like to understand & nature proves again and again it can’t be fully understood. Something that fascinates me, is how a lion or leopard can find their way to exactly where a den site or kill is. Even after being very far away sometimes..
Hi Gawie,
Do you mean find their way back? It’s an interesting one.
I mentioned how humans have imaginations, or the ability to conceptualise things that aren’t necessarily real, and this accelerated our evolution. Thinking about it now, lions and leopards must have some kind of mapping in the their head, or at least some type of spatial awareness that lets them know whereabouts they are in their territory, but I don’t know what form it takes. Is it a picture in their mind or is it simple visual recognition of landmarks?
What do you think?
Best
James
Part of it is most likely visual. As they can recognise visual aspects ( for example the land rovers they are viewed in). Or possibly taking snapshots of their environment? I also think they have to rely strongly on their noses, ears & a strong instinct. But what is INSTICT exactly? I find it remarkable that they “know”!
I can’t begin to theorize “how” the Lionesses know these differences, especially with 13 Cubs to gather and control But it’s a good topic to consider. I just assumed they visually recognized them when dealing with only 2 or 3….that along with their scent. Oh well, throw that theory out the window! What I do know, James, is that you took some great cub images that I enjoyed!
This is interesting James. I follow Derek Joubert on Twitter. The last few weeks he posted about two lion pride at Duba Plains. Two very tiny cubs from the one pride got seperated from the mother. They somehow joined the other pride with much older cubs. Luckily they eat meat. The older cubs bullied them, but they survived. The mother of the lost cubs were still close by. The little male managed to get back to the mother after a few days. The little female is still with the adopted pride. It look as if the pride female accepted her and started grooming her as well. Derek Joubert also think that males stand a better chance if survival as the mother seem to care more for them.
Hi Marinda,
Fascinating stuff. I think we’re only scratching the surface when it comes to lion behaviour…
Best,
James
Incredibly interesting concept. Have you or the other Rangers noticed similar behavior for Leopards or Cheetah?
Hi Jeff,
With Cheetahs I can’s say since we so rarely see cheetah cubs on Londolozi, but I would imagine given how closely they stick together it would be a case of all-or-nothing, and the mother would notice immediately when one was missing.
Leopards for the most part have smaller litters than lions, and their litters don’t integrate with others, so it is probably easier for them to register if one isn’t there. I know that as the cubs get older they spend more and more time apart, sometimes a good few hundred metres. We recently watched the Nhlanguleni female moving with just one cub along the river. She killed a bushbuck then fed for the day, and her lack of concern about the second cub was slightly worrying, but the next day the second cub was with the other on the kill. I think leopards’ more independent nature means that it will take longer for the mother to register if something has happened to one of her litter.
Best,
James
Interesting. Recently on SL in the Kenya, a Sausage Tree Pride Cub was lost for some days, and then found by the mother. Perhaps it took longer for her bell to ring? Likely her second litter, so maybe experience develops that bell.
Hi Robin,
Very interesting, thanks for the info. Experience may well play a role.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/20150826-the-animals-that-can-count
Interesting article- lions seem to be able to tell if they are outnumbered or not anyway
Hi Sarah,
Interesting article on animals that can count. However, I do have to disagree with one of the statements made in the lion section, in which it says, “They attack and defend against other prides, but only if they outnumber them”. I’ve seen outnumbered lionesses go in against superior numbers and rout the other pride, so I think it has to do with a lot more factors than just numbers. Age, territory, presence of cubs… I’m not discounting the counting ability (bit of a mouthful, that) but I know that in that specific example, it’s not just just based on numbers, and that’s coming from almost a decade of observations in the wild.
I know Derek Joubert states that in hyena vs lion conflicts, it generally comes down to biomass of the respective sides to decide the outcome, which is not easy for the individuals involved to calculate at first glance, and actual engagement might be necessary.
Whatever the case, it still makes for a fascinating discussion.
Best regards
I often wonder at why humans have the need to believe they are more intelligent, more sensitive or even more aware than animals? It actually is the opposite. Humans differ in their need to change their environment while animals live in, appreciate and make the most of the present. I realize you have a degree in zoology. I highly recommend reading the books of your fellow countryman, Lyall Watson who had a degree in zoology, botany, biology, anthropology and ethology. His book “Elephantoms” speaks of the elephant’s intelligence. Some people say he “made his stories up” but I know, as I have experienced in my life many similar events, that he didn’t. As director of the Johannesburg zoo at 23 he was a brilliant individual. Having an open mind means having the ability to greater experiences with our brethren the animals. Trying to estimate what they are doing while underestimating their intelligence will always limit our perception. They have a great deal to teach us, if we let them 😉
Hi Johanna,
Thanks for the comments.
I’ve read Elephantoms many times; one of my absolute favourite books! Your last line is very pertinent, “if we let them” being the operative phrase.
I think we can learn from most animals, no matter what their intelligence levels!
Best regards,
James
Agreed! Even humans!
Dear James. I am inclined to agree with the “missing bell” theory. Perhaps each cub has a slightly different smell and when Mom is missing out on a particular smell, she may go and look for that cub. Or, as you say, it could be facial recognition. Interesting thought …… So much we just don’t know. Wendy M
I’m not sure about that James… I read yesterday where some lizards are intelligent and can count. If lizards can, why not lions. lol
I agree, I don’ Know if lions can count, but they certainly would be helpful especially if you have 13 cubs in total. Based on my experiences with my 2 boys, math would be good! They are all so adorable we don’t want to lose one. Victoria
Thank you for this article and the others I’ve read! I love to hear the stories. I believe lions, like many other animals, identify their offspring by smell and facial recognition. They are much smarter than many people give them credit for!
I had to think about your blog for a bit. It brings up some very thought provoking questions and theories. I recently viewed the first episode of David Attenborough’s series, Dynasties. Brilliantly filmed and narrated. It is the story of a pride in the Masai Mara, highlighting a female that has recently given birth and following her life raising these cubs. Whilst I don’t believe they count their young or even other species, I agree they have an inate sense of knowing if their cubs are accounted for as well as sizing up theirs foes in the case of protecting their family. I was mesmerized by the footage of her defending her cubs against a pack of hyenas, all by herself. Her sister went missing and she took on the care of her cubs as well. I believe animals are extremely smart, in ways we may never understand, but that’s okay. Let our imaginations take us to places that further conversations, research and perhaps man can live with our natural animals in a more symbiotic way.
You know, I think the answer is more simple than it appears. I’m an only child, but I’ve heard *plenty* of stories from families with 3+ siblings of one sibling being forgotten. And I know that I go back for things that aren’t there all the time- just weird brain stuff, sometimes called brain farts, sometimes called being a ditz. There’s nothing unusual about it. And especially for lionesses- I imagine having litters every year or so is quite a different experience then a human mother, even with tons of kids. I’m sure the faces just blur together, and her brain might tell her to check for more cubs because that one year she had three. As I said, brain slip.