Mertonian co-authors research on social lives of lions

In the wild plains of the Serengeti, lions aren't just fierce hunters; they are deeply social animals whose lives are intricately shaped by the company they keep. New research from the University of Oxford has uncovered fascinating differences in how male and female lions' social lives change as they age—changes that play a crucial role in their survival. 

Published in Current Biology, the study delves into the emerging field of social aging, exploring how lions’ social behavior evolves over their lifetimes and the impact this has on their survival. Unlike most cats, African lions (Panthera leo) are highly social, depending on their pride not just for hunting, but for raising their young and defending their territory. 

The study, based on three decades of observations of 665 lions in the Serengeti, reveals some striking differences between the sexes as they age: 

• Female lions forge their strongest bonds with males during mid-life, but these connections taper off as they grow older. Their ties with other females are strongest in their youth, gradually weakening over time. These social connections, especially with other females, are key to their longevity. The better connected a female lion is, the longer she is likely to live. 
• Male lions, on the other hand, experience the weakest connections with other males during mid-life, but these bonds strengthen as they age. Their social ties to females peak in mid-life and decline at both ends of the age spectrum. For males, the sheer number of social connections appears to be what matters most for survival. 

Lauren Rudd (Department of Biology, University of Oxford), the lead author, suggests that for female lions, having close "friends" might be a matter of life and death. These friendships can help protect against threats like infanticidal males and support cooperative activities such as hunting and defending territory, all of which contribute to a longer life. 

This groundbreaking research also hints at broader implications beyond the Serengeti. As lions age and their social networks shift, their vulnerability to disease may change. Older females, with fewer social ties, might be less exposed to pathogens, while older males, who form new connections, could face increased risks. 

The findings open up new avenues for understanding how social aging affects not only lions but potentially other animal societies. Co-author Dr. Josh Firth (Merton College, Department of Biology, University of Oxford & University of Leeds) notes, "Wild animal populations where individuals are monitored throughout their lives offer a rare window into the dynamics of social aging across different societies." 

This study is more than just a glimpse into the lives of lions; it's a step forward in understanding the complex social structures that shape the animal kingdom. For anyone fascinated by the natural world, these insights into how lions grow old with pride are as compelling as they are enlightening. 

The research is detailed in the paper ‘Sex-specific social ageing in wild African lions’, now available in Current Biology. 

Image: Lychee, a lioness included in the study. She was the oldest lion recorded in the Serengeti and lived to be 19 years old. Credit: Craig Packer.