When a lion pride is taken over by new males, the existing males are typically displaced or killed, and the incoming males often commit infanticide by killing the cubs sired by previous males. This behavior accelerates the females' return to estrus, allowing the new males to reproduce sooner with the pride's lionesses
. More specifically:
- The resident males, once ousted, usually leave the pride and may live a nomadic life or try to form coalitions to take over another pride in the future
- The new dominant males establish control by eliminating the offspring of the previous males, which is a brutal but common strategy to ensure their own genes are passed on
- Male lions rarely remain in a pride for more than three to five years because of these frequent takeovers and the constant threat from younger males
- The takeover involves intense territorial disputes, vocalizations, and sometimes physical fights, with the new males defending the pride territory against rivals
- Females may try to defend their cubs by grouping together or showing other behavioral strategies, but often the cubs do not survive the takeover
In summary, when a pride is taken over, the displaced males lose their position and often their lives, while the new males kill the existing cubs to bring females back into reproductive condition and secure their genetic legacy within the pride
