• Question: Why do lions roar?

    Asked by catheriney to Debbie, Glyn, Jon, Kat on 20 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: Jonathan Stone

      Jonathan Stone answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      My initial reaction is to say that it is because they are angry!! But you should have a read of this article…it explains it very well… http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9028000/9028491.stm

    • Photo: Glyn Barrett

      Glyn Barrett answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      The main reason for roaring is for communication between individuals in a pride. Lions, especially, the males can travel far and wide but it is important that they keep track of the location of their family members. A lions roar is quite low frequency and can travel long distances over the flat plains which they normally call home.
      Each pride of lions also has a unique combination of roars so that they can stake their claim to the territory and tell other prides of lions to keep out.

    • Photo: Kathryn McMahon

      Kathryn McMahon answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      Animals roar for a several reasons. They might roar as a warning to other animals to stay away, or males might roar to other males to warn them that they are in their territory (and they’re not happy about it!). Some male animals roar to show the females how strong and fit they are – they use roaring like an advert. For example, male red deer even have roaring competitions with each other when they are trying to attract females.
      http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Red_Deer
      Lions roar for a few of these reasons. The males roar to tell other males where their territory is, and female lionesses roar to gather up their cubs. Both sexes roar to each other when they’re hunting and fighting – its part of how they communicate.

    • Photo: Debbie Crockard

      Debbie Crockard answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      Don’t think I can add anything to these brillinat answers – but personally I think they roar to show off!

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