* Competition: During estrus, a female lion may growl to intimidate other females vying for the attention of a male. This establishes dominance and helps her secure mating opportunities.
* Attraction: While growling might seem aggressive, it can also be a way for a female lion to signal her receptiveness to a male. The specific growls she uses during this stage might be softer or more melodic than those used for dominance.
* Protection: A female lion may growl to protect her cubs from other females or even the male lion, who may sometimes be aggressive towards cubs that aren't his own.
* Communication: Growling is a way for lionesses to communicate with each other, especially when they are in a pride. It can be used to signal danger, establish dominance, or simply express a feeling of discontent.
It's important to note that growling isn't always a sign of aggression. The context and the lioness's body language are key to understanding her intentions.