<P> Weaning occurs after six to seven months . Male lions reach maturity at about 3 years of age and, at 4--5 years of age, are capable of challenging and displacing the adult male (s) associated with another pride . They begin to age and weaken between 10 and 15 years of age at the latest, Furthermore, when one or more new males oust the previous male (s) associated with a pride, the conqueror (s) often kill any existing young cubs, perhaps because females do not become fertile and receptive until their cubs mature or die . A lioness often will attempt to defend her cubs fiercely from a usurping male, but such actions are rarely successful . Success is more likely when a group of three or four mothers within a pride join forces against one male . Other sources of mortality for cubs include starvation and abandonment, as well as predation by leopards, hyenas and wild dogs . All in all, as many as 80% of the cubs will die before the age of two . </P> <P> Contrary to popular belief, it is not only males that are ousted from their pride to become nomads, although most females certainly do remain with their birth pride . However, when the pride becomes too large, the next generation of female cubs may be forced to leave to eke out their own territory . Furthermore, when a new male lion takes over the pride, adolescent lions, both male and female, may be evicted . </P> <P> Both males and females may interact homosexually . Lions are shown to be involved in group homosexual and courtship activities . Male lions will also head rub and roll around with each other before simulating sex together . </P> <P> Although adult lions have no natural predators, evidence suggests that the majority die violently from humans or other lions . Lions often inflict serious injuries on each other, either members of different prides encountering each other in territorial disputes, or members of the same pride fighting at a kill . Crippled lions and lion cubs may fall victim to hyenas, leopards, or be trampled by buffalo or elephants, and careless lions may be maimed when hunting prey . </P>

Average lifespan of a lion in the wild