Consider the following statements:

Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
- This statement is correct. Lions do not mate at a specific time of year, and the females are polyestrous, meaning they can come into heat multiple times a year.
Statement 2: Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
- This statement is correct. Cheetahs cannot roar because they have a one-piece hyoid bone, unlike lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars, which have a two-piece hyoid bone that allows them to roar .
Statement 3: Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
- This statement is incorrect. Male leopards do proclaim their territory by scent marking, using methods such as spraying urine, clawing trees, and rubbing their cheeks against objects .

Learn more

Lion Reproduction and Life Cycle:
- Breeding Frequency: In the wild, lions typically breed once every two years, while in captivity, they may breed annually.
- Mating Behavior: Females are receptive to mating for three to four days within a variable reproductive cycle. During this period, a pair may mate every 20-30 minutes, resulting in up to 50 copulations per 24 hours .
- Gestation and Cubs: The gestation period is about 108-110 days, with litter sizes ranging from one to six cubs. Cubs are born blind and helpless, and they start following their mothers at about three months of age .
- Maturity and Pride Dynamics: Lions reach sexual maturity at three to four years of age. Male cubs are expelled from the pride at about three years old and become nomads until they can take over another pride .
Cheetah Vocalization:
- Inability to Roar: Cheetahs cannot roar due to their one-piece hyoid bone structure. Instead, they can purr, meow, chirp, and make other sounds .
- Communication: Cheetahs use vocalizations and scent marking to communicate with each other and avoid predators. They often visit scent-marking sites at different times to minimize encounters with dominant predators like leopards.
Leopard Scent Marking:
- Territorial Behavior: Leopards are solitary animals that use scent marking to communicate and establish their territory. They mark their territory by spraying urine, clawing trees, and rubbing their cheeks against objects .
- Communication: Scent marking helps leopards avoid conflicts with other leopards and predators. They also use vocalizations like sawing, coughing, and rasping to communicate their presence and reproductive status.