Lions, often referred to as the “King of the Jungle,” have a roar that commands attention. Imagine standing under a star-studded sky at Londolozi, the early morning air crisp and quiet—until a deafening, guttural sound cuts through the silence. The Ndzhenga Male calls out for his brother, his roar reverberating through the bush and leaving you awestruck. But why do lions make such a powerful sound, and how do they produce it? Understanding the science and purpose behind a lion’s roar reveals much about their behaviour and survival strategies.
The Ndzhenga Male Lion calls out for his brother in the early hours of the morning. A deafening sound that is truly unforgettable.
How Do Lions Roar?
Finding lions on an early morning drive is no simple task. We scan for tracks, listen for sounds, and often rely on their roars to guide us. Lions typically roar during the cooler times of the day—early mornings and evenings—when the air is more still and dense, allowing the sound to travel farther across the landscape.
A lion’s roar is a result of its highly specialised larynx (voice box) and a series of unique physiological adaptations. Lions are able to roar so loudly due to the suspensorium, which is the voice-box-like device at the top of the windpipe, suspended with cartilage. The voice box of other species is ossified in its place, however, with lions, the cartilage allows for movement of the suspensorium. The vibrations caused during vocalisations result in the projection of the roar being louder and carrying significantly further.
Hyoid apparatus, larynx and cranial part of the trachea in the lion. G, M. geniohyoideus; To, tongue; T, Tympanohyoideum; S, Stylohyoideum; E, Epihyoideum; C, Ceratohyoideum; B, Basiyoideum; Th, Thyrohyoideum; Ct, Cartilago thyroidea; Gt, Glandula thyroidea image.
The roar itself can reach an astonishing 114 decibels, almost as loud as a jet engine taking off. Lions achieve this by forcing rapid bursts of air through their voice box, with their massive chests acting as natural amplifiers. Their powerful diaphragm and abdominal muscles also play a role in generating such deep, resonant sounds. Interestingly, lions can roar both while inhaling and exhaling, giving their calls remarkable duration and intensity.
Why Do Lions Roar?
The roar of a lion serves multiple purposes, each vital to their survival and dominance:
1. Advertise Territory
One of the most important functions of a lion’s roar is to advertise territory, especially with male lions. Lions use their roars as a vocal declaration to other lions that the area is already claimed. These auditory boundaries warn rival males and other predators to stay away, avoiding unnecessary confrontation. A lion’s roar can be heard up to 8 kilometres (5 miles) away, making it an efficient way to assert dominance over a vast territory.
One of the Majingilane roars into the night, calling out to the rest of coaltion. Thanks to Mike Sutherland for his advice on what settings to use in side-lighting conditions.
2. Communication with the Pride
Lions are social animals that rely on vocalizations to stay connected. A roar can signal a lion’s location to its pride, especially in dense bush or during the night when visual contact is limited. This helps the pride coordinate activities like hunting, regrouping, or relocating.
Being social animals, vocalisations between the individuals of the pride are very important for coordinating social activities such as directional movement, relocating individuals and hunting strategies.
3. Intimidating Rivals and Prey
A lion’s roar is also a display of strength and authority, designed to intimidate both rivals and potential prey. For rival predators like hyenas or other lions, the roar is a warning to steer clear. For prey, it can create confusion or fear, offering the lion a psychological advantage during a hunt.
On a misty morning, we found a single Ndzhenga Male roaring for the rest of the pride.
The Majesty of a Lion’s Roar
Ultimately, the roar of a lion is not just a display of vocal prowess but a multi-purpose tool that serves to establish dominance, maintain social cohesion within the pride, and protect territory. The iconic sound of a lion’s roar remains one of nature’s most awe-inspiring communications, representing both the wild beauty and the survival strategies of these majestic creatures.
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Have you ever heard the roar of Lion at Londolozi? Let me know in the comments below.
Hi Nic, lions are certainly the King of the jungle. My word that roar is load and gives me goose bumps just listening to it. I think being nearby a lion while they are roaring is deafening and at the same time exciting. Thanks for the video showcasing the lions roar.
Hello Valmai.
The video is a fantastic illustration to show the power of the roar of a lion. Personally, being near a roaring lion, staying still and present in a moment like that, is an unforgettable experience. I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
Nic, I have never heard the roar of a lion first hand, only on videos. Thanks for the video.
Hi William.
The video gives a good account of the majesty of the roar, however I hope we have the opportunity for you to experience this soon. There are many other sounds, like his brother’s roaring response, that can only be truly felt in the moment. It’s the collection of sounds, and the stillness of the night, that make moments like that unforgettable.
Thanks, Nic, for this great explanation of the lions’ roars.
It is indeed an unforgettable sound, especially in the dark, sitting next the roaring lion.
Fantastic!
Thank you Christa.
It is an iconic sound of Africa, and one that will never get old.
Absolutely. Many times. First time was August 2019 with a Birmingham male while piloted by Greg P and Equalizer (which you can access on momofpumpkin Instagram)
Amazing Willa. That is fantastic.
The ever changing lion dynamics on Londolozi, and throughout the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, mean we have different lions roaring for different reasons at the moment. It is very intriguing, and will be going forward, to see how the story unfolds.
I hope you have the opportunity to experience a moment like this with us again soon.
Lions are endangered, they lost 50% of their population since the film by Disney about them, which is astonishing. But they thrive in Londolozi, and yes, I heard lions roaring but not in Londolozi yet. I appreciate so much all the pictures and video. A homage paid to the Majingilane once more… the Ndzenga males are imposing and doing their best. Spectacular
Hi Francesca.
Yes, indeed you are correct. Many animals are being threatened due to habitat loss, and conservation initiatives and educational material are crucial tools for us to use going forward. It is important we share information and experiences like the video above to remind people of the beauty that nature holds, and further emphasise the need for its protection.
In addition to everything there is to see whilst spending time on Safari, it’s the sounds that are ever present. There are all of the birdsongs, the barks of impala, the shrieks of monkeys or the chirping of squirrels that are all around but it’s the roar of a lion or lions that really grabs your attention. There is nothing more thrilling than that deep guttural sound, sending goosebumps throughout your body, as well as feeling the vibration of the roar, especially if they’re next to you. It’s the one sound I always hope to hear.
Hello Denise.
You are absolutely correct. The summation of sounds can be overwhelming, and simply beautiful.
Hopefully we are able to share this magic with you at Londolozi soon.
Thank you for reading.