The Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya one of the world's greatest theaters for wildlife with its ever-present actors
herbivores continuously on the move and Stocking carnivores
This image of the African savannah immediately springs to mind
However, the following scenes will show that the lives of animals in the savanna cannot be summed up simply by the alternative eat or avoid
being eaten
The Sun is rising over the Maasai Mara a shrubby savanna on the border with Tanzania
covering some 1,500 square kilometres
The Reserve is famous for the great migration of wildebeest fleeing the burning hot plains of Tanzania each year
In the foreground is a pride of lions led by this couple
Surrounding them are their usual neighbors zebra wildebeest
elephants impalas giraffes
Are they just minor actors? It might appear that way, but in fact their lives are more complex than it appears
The mating of our stage animals our actors is in itself a play in several parts
The male lion has everything to boast about a magnificent mane a royal demeanor and doe eyes to woo his partner
But she plays hard-to-get that's her role for the moment the role of the male is to follow her like her shadow
You
A lioness is on heat for four to six days
The prelude to mating lasts at least 24 hours a cautious approach a constant but discreet presence
Until she consents the male has to display her own patience
There are other males looking after the eight females and twelve cubs or so in this pride
However, only one male can aspire to mate with the lionesses
It's the dominant male reduced for a few days to the state of a bashful lover
Why are there so many herbivores in the Maasai Mara?
Because we are now in February a time when the savanna offers a fresh and protein-rich
Pasture with young grass is sprouting two to three weeks after the rains
Wildebeest are prepared to travel 700 kilometers from the Serengeti plains in the south so they can feast on them
Zebra also migrate along the same route on good terms with the wildebeest
Obviously the Lions pick their prize from these herds or rather the lionesses do since they are the ones hunting
There is no precedence among lionesses at their dinner table each one gulps down as much as she can
The Cubs with baby teeth cannot bite into the flesh like the older ones can
They are only invited to the feast so that they're not left unattended
It's also a way of getting them familiar with the smell of blood to awaken their killer instinct
Oh
This female is the most experienced of the pride she leads operations during the group hunt once she has eaten enough
She keeps a watch on the surroundings such a nice catch could attract a rival pride if that were the case?
Watch out for the Cubs
The adult females require about five kilograms of meat per day the males seven kilograms
The cubs live off their mother's milk for the first three months
Afterwards, they'll have a mixed diet a little bit of meat in addition to the milk
complete weaning occurs around six months
Walking for days and weeks to find the right plants as the fate of all herbivores on the Masai Mara
Elephants choose to browse early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day
Now boring for teenagers to walk for miles when playing is much more fun
The matriarch an old and experienced female systematically leads the group
She has a good memory and knows by heart the tracks leading to the most plentiful sights full of food
Every now and then she tolerates a break she knows the youngsters need to play fight to practice for real-life battles. They'll have his adults
But when she decides it's time to leave everyone goes
Well nearly everyone
Except for this calf. He couldn't wake up from his nap. So he had to be prodded a bit
One stallion for several mares which remain loyal to him all their life that sums up the small harems for him by virtual zebra
They live rather harmoniously except for the usual squabbles
This arrangement works. Well, as long as these various families are not intruding on each other's territories
however, during the Great Migration
Promiscuity leads to violent fights between stallions, especially if the migration coincides with the rutting season
Foles practice these equestrian wrestles from a young age
To challenge the chief of a harem or if need be to escape from a predators claws a well-placed kick can kill a lioness
With a head at more than five meters off the ground it's easy to spot dangerous predators
It's one of the advantages of this unusual morphology
Another advantage is being able to browse the leaves at the top of trees like no other herbivore can
These two Masai giraffe are rival males they try to intimidate each other by rocking their necks a strange behavior known as necking as
Neither wants to give in it will end up in blows
Oddly enough the same movements in a slower and softer way are also used for courting
Some aside giraffes live in small groups headed by a single male
the purpose of these duels however violent they may be is not to injure the rifle but to establish who is the strongest
Which one when the time comes we'll take over as the head bow
Giraffes rarely eat grass because of the acrobatics required to do so
But sometimes the urge to graze on young tender grass shoots or to smell something on the ground is irresistible
Their Anatomy can force them into some amazing positions. However
Evolution has enabled them to do so safely
The blood vessels in the giraffes head are equipped with valves preventing excessive blood flow to the brain
Throughout the day groups of 30 to 40 females and calves travel in search of food
The giraffes favorite plant the acacia tree it provides all the vitamins they require
The Acacia is full of spines
But they don't care their mouth is totally impervious to thorns and their tongue flexible enough to grasp the leaves without being scratched
The herbivores of the Masai Mara and other savannas live harmoniously together
Generally having very different tastes
The grass and is clearing as the impalas favorite meal
The nicely ringed horns are the pride of the males and have the power of seduction which the females cannot resist
Why because the size of the horns is a reflection of the male's virility and the ladies only want the best partner for procreation
During the rutting season the dominant realm establishes a vast territory
Females crossing this territory belong to him and he chases away any male trying to approach them
It's an exhausting task especially as these large harems with a hundred and more females attract many highly motivated rivals
The day is getting hotter the matriarch knew how to get the group to a shaded area where the best grass of the season grows
This convivial moment encourages contacts and exchanges elephants have an endearing way to greet each other or to show mutual affection
The trunk is such an extraordinary tool
It has more than 100 thousand muscles and ability to grasp a very useful
Flexibility and yet is sensitive enough to express feelings
During these breaks the calves are constantly watched over
Those which are not old enough to graze take the opportunity to suckle some milk. They are allowed until they're 3 or 4 years old
The young impalas have to become independent much earlier in life
Fawns are only breastfed for 5 months afterwards. They have to graze like an adult moreover. They have to keep up with the moving herd
However to establish their own territory the young males will wait until they're four years old this period is spent within the herd
Sometimes it's hard to hold back
The matriarch daughter has just given birth
The calf is already on his feet
but not stable and
For quite a while the mother and the other female assisting her will encourage the baby to stand up and start suckling
Come on this is no time to give up the newly-born has to find his mother's teats as quickly as possible. Otherwise, he will perish
There might be several other females accompanying and helping the mother giving birth
First they act as midwives freeing the calf from the fetal membrane, which kept the newborn nice and warm for 22 months
Then they stay around the newborn until yes started suckling which can sometimes take hours but none of the elephants lose patience
He's done it he can now excitedly suckle away and find the strength to live
The eldest female instinctively takes charge in maintaining and passing on the collective memory of the family
She knows where to find the best pastures and water holes and under the midday Sun they've got to drink
These three sleepy hippos are not going to prevent them from quenching their thirst
60 liters of water per day is the minimum. They need to consume
This water hall as many others also contains minerals that elephants can only find in such places
Waterholes are not only places to drink but also meeting points where solitary bulls can renew contact with the herd and maybe mate with females
This waterhole was only used for drinking with so much duck weed. It's not an appealing bath
Bathing is crucial to get rid of the lice that dig themselves into the creases of the skin
Both normal bathing or a mud bath are effective to kill off parasites
The mud here is not deep enough to wallow in never mind a mud shower is better than nothing
Spraying dust is another technique to get rid of the pests
For their hygiene the Buffalo rely on the service of a professional cleaner the oxpecker bird happy to find food with such ease
A guard in a strange uniform the Senegal jabiru a cousin of the stork
Finding something to drink is a daily obsession for all creatures in the Savannah a
Male zebra has more chance of attracting females if he chooses an area near a waterhole
However, the very fact that it attracts so many animals makes a waterhole both a source of life and death as
Often the predators are lurking nearby
Grouping and standing together is the best defense strategy
Whatever happens don't stray away or far from the herd the hunters are just waiting for that
For once the Zebras panicked for nothing the Lions were just coming to drink
However, the zebra struggling in the mud close by is now at their mercy
The young male is also struggling to maneuver in the mud, but unfortunately for the zebra he is less heavily handicapped by his weight
He could do with some help for the final kill but the others seem reluctant to descend into the quagmire
Some of the young lions prefer play fighting for the time being
They don't have much time left for carefree activities
When they reach three they will be expelled from the group forced to fend for themselves and find elsewhere their own group of females
When they play fight and bicker these adolescents prepare for their future as a dominant male and a hunter
This play fighting develops their physical strength and responsiveness
While the pride is busy elsewhere a lioness takes care of the cubs
This is one of their community's rules. Never leave a cub alone
Usually the lionesses have three or four cubs in each litter and spend as much time as possible with them until their second year
It is vital not only to educate them but also to keep a close watch over them
50% of the Cubs die before the age of one killed by hyenas and cheetahs
Whether her own or not a lioness will breastfeed a cub each female in the pride is both mother nanny and godmother
The hyenas and other hunters of the Savannah are not the only danger for the Cubs other lions may be a threat
The young bachelor males wandering in search of a pride to take over are sometimes hungry and aggressive and therefore dangerous
The babysitter knows it and remains vigilant
Even when he has already one or several partners things are not easy for a male
Our line is still trying to approach however, he has made good progress and will hopefully shortly succeed
The first of some 200 copulations that will occur during their romance
From now on there will be one every 15 minutes or so
The lioness suffers when the male withdraws it is this pain and repeated copulations that trigger ovulation
But this does not make life easier for the male
Around a prey lionesses don't have as much patience as during the long naps when it's too hot even to move
Although these naps always turn into endless play for the Cubs
At this young age
Playing is not just about having fun with
Somersaults tumbling racing chasing the Cubs learn to adjust their behavior and to control their movements
That's how they establish their hierarchical status their codes and everything that will govern their adult life
The dominant male is conspicuous by his absence in these family pictures
Indeed. He hardly takes care of the Cubs education he watches over them but indirectly by rejecting any intrusions of male strangers
or predators in his territory a
Left over carcass a wildebeest already half devoured by a group of lions the scavengers of the savanna take their seat
Once abandoned a carcass is free to be devoured by any animal the jackals have no more rights over it than the Mara boos
Harassed by Mara booze the jackal is preferred to retreat but not without taking a magnificent trophy the tale of the wildebeest
One of them eventually has some regrets why abandon such a nice prey why not come back for a second helping
It's all very well to play but it doesn't fill up the stomach and when there's no carcass to be found
What choice is there but to hunt?
Taupey like the wildebeest know how to use their horns and hooves when it comes to defending their young
Is it really sensible to launch a solitary attack on a prey twice as large
It's clear more hunters should be involved but where are the reinforcements?
Here they are but too late all the herds are on alert
The three companions have known better days, they'll have to wait a bit longer before they can eat
The wildebeest are best known for the immense processions marching towards their promised land
When a herd halts its march it's for a good reason love
Males aged at least three are seeking to gather around them as many females as possible
For this they make great mad dashes and play fights just to attract attention
The excitement and nervousness of the wildebeest sometimes leads to odd behavior as in the scene that follows a
Baby, only a few hours old is bullied by several adults
Do they want him to practice running teaching him to flee or follow the herd without tripping up and to be ever ready?
This is only a guess
Instinctively the little wildebeest follows his mother like her shadow he risks losing her if he strays too far from her
especially when the herd is moving he would surely die on his own as no female would replace her a
Mother wildebeest never nurtures another calf, which is not hers
The wildebeest calf is the earliest to walk of all the herbivores
He has to be ready to embark without delay in this nomadic life only ten minutes after birth
He's standing up and able to walk then he just tags along with the great collective movement covering tens of thousands of kilometers per year
Providing he overcomes the hazards
And
And
All of those who graze these grasslands
Whether it be the dense herds of wildebeest or the less numerous topi and zebra have to fear the great carnivores all except the elephant
Our pride regularly taps into this abundance of prey always aiming for the most vulnerable babies the elderly and the infirm
The lionesses must have had a good meal recently as hunting is not on their agenda the mood is rather affectionate and playful
As they live quite old and spend a lot of time together looking after the youngsters
Emotional relationships are essential to the lionesses. This is displayed through physical contact
With such strong ties in the pride the lionesses may work together and rebuffing unwelcome males
The Cubs have just discovered a highly enjoyable game that reminds us of something
Third-act in the love story of our two heroes. Romeo comes to claim or propose yet another copulation
The Sun is going down it's not so hot and many animals have been waiting for this moment to go and drink
Around the Lions waterhole everything seems to be slowing down as if the fatigue of the day was felt by all of the animals
On this side of the waterhole. It is complete rest some understandably have succumbed to exhaustion
The curtain will soon fall on the grand scene of the Maasai Mara the end of a show every day replayed
Where the eternal Wanderers and experienced hunters live out their lives
Driven by the seasons the struggle for survival of each creature maintains a balance
This balance is the secret of Africa's wild
Wildebeest elephants impalas giraffes
Are they just minor actors? It might appear that way, but in fact their lives are more complex than appears
The mating of our stage animals our actors is in itself a play in several parts
The male lion has everything to boast about a magnificent mane a royal demeanor and doe eyes to woo his partner
But she plays hard-to-get that's her role for the moment the role of the male is to follow her like her shadow
a
Lioness is on heat for four to six days the prelude to mating lasts at least 24 hours. I'll caution
The Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya one of the world's greatest theaters for wildlife with its ever-present actors
herbivores continuously on the move and Stocking carnivores
This image of the African savannah immediately springs to mind
However, the following scenes will show that the lives of animals in the savanna cannot be summed up simply by the alternative eat or avoid
being eaten
The Sun is rising over the Maasai Mara a shrubby savanna on the border with Tanzania
covering some 1,500 square kilometres
The reserve is famous for the great migration of wildebeest fleeing the burning hot plains of Tanzania each year
In the foreground is a pride of lions led by this couple surrounding them are their usual neighbors zebra
Zebra also migrate along the same route on good terms with the wildebeest
Obviously the Lions pick their prize from these herds or rather the lionesses do since they are the ones hunting
There is no precedence among lionesses at their dinner table each one gulps down as much as she can
The Cubs with baby teeth cannot bite into the flesh like the older ones can
They are only invited to the feast so that they're not left unattended
It's also a way of getting them familiar with the smell of blood to awaken their killer instinct
Oh
This female is the most experienced of the pride she leads operations during the group hunt once she has eaten enough
She keeps a watch on the surroundings such a nice catch could attract a rival pride if that were the case?
Watch out for the Cubs
The adult females require about five kilograms of meat per day the males seven kilograms
The cubs live off their mother's milk for the first three months
Afterwards, they'll have a mixed diet a little bit of meat in addition to the milk
complete weaning occurs around six months
Which is approached a constant but discreet presence until she consents the male has to display her own patience
There are other males looking after the eight females and twelve cubs or so in this pride
However, only one male can aspire to mate with the lionesses
It's the dominant male reduced for a few days to the state of a bashful lover
Why are there so many herbivores in the Masai Mara?
Because we are now in February a time when the savanna offers a fresh and protein-rich
Pasture with young grass is sprouting two to three weeks after the rains
Wildebeest are prepared to travel 700 kilometers from the Serengeti plains in the south so they can feast on them
