When a pride of lions is taken over by new males, the incoming males typically kill the existing cubs that were sired by the previous males. This behavior, known as infanticide, serves to bring the cubs' mothers back into estrus more quickly so the new males can sire their own offspring and pass on their genes. This results in a sharp increase in cub mortality during and after a takeover
. The killing of cubs by new males is a common strategy to eliminate genetic competition and ensure the new males' reproductive success. Lionesses may try to protect their cubs, but often the new dominant males succeed in killing the young cubs under one year old
. Additionally, lionesses in the pride cooperate in communal care of cubs, nursing and protecting them collectively. However, this communal care does not prevent infanticide by incoming males during a takeover
. In summary:
- New males taking over a pride usually kill the existing cubs to bring females into reproductive condition sooner.
- This leads to high cub mortality during pride takeovers.
- Lionesses provide communal care, but this does not typically stop infanticide by new males.
- After males take over, future cubs will carry the genes of the new dominant males.
This behavior is an evolutionary adaptation to maximize the reproductive success of the incoming males at the expense of the previous males' offspring
