Solo females will often form a pair bond with another female before finding a male to mate with. Having another pair of hands to assist with care and feeding is invaluable. In larger packs, the alpha will try to stagger breeding cycles so that the whole
When I presented myself to the female on the left, she ran off and I thought I was out of luck. Turns out she was just fetching her pride mates to give her alpha the chance to mate first. Fairly typical behavior, but adorable nonetheless.
This meadow female spends most of her life on all fours to remain concealed in the tall grass. Her days are spent foraging for seeds, tubers, and insects, and each night she builds herself a fresh nest. (Field Notes in Comments)
