Lions live in a social group known as a pride that consists of 2–18 females and 1–7 males. Lions are known to engage in sex to create bonds and interact with each other. 4.4.1 Homosexual pair-bonding and parenting.There have also been observations of sex with cub participants, same-sex sexual interaction, as well as sex with dead animals. Although it is doubted they have done this since the beginning of existence. Observed non-procreative sexual activities include non-copulatory mounting (without insertion, or by a female, or by a younger male who does not yet produce semen), oral sex, genital stimulation, anal stimulation, interspecies mating, and acts of affection. Animals have been observed to engage in sex for social interaction bonding, exchange for significant materials, affection, mentorship pairings, sexual enjoyment, or as demonstration of social rank. Although procreation continues to be the primary explanation for sexual behavior in animals, recent observations on animal behavior have given alternative reasons for the engagement in sexual activities by animals.
Non-reproductive sexual behavior consists of sexual activities animals participate in that do not lead to the reproduction of the species.
