Why Do Lions Pull Funny Faces? The Secret Behind the Flehmen Response
- Craig Mitchell
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
That strange curled lip isn't a snarl — it's one of Africa's most fascinating wildlife behaviours.
You're sitting quietly on a game drive when suddenly a male lion lifts his head, curls back his upper lip, opens his mouth slightly and pulls a face that looks almost like he's tasted something unpleasant.
For many first-time safari guests, it looks confusing. Is he angry? Is he smelling something bad? Is he showing his teeth?
The answer is much more fascinating.
He's performing a behaviour called the Flehmen response — a clever way African animals gather information about the world around them.
The Science Behind the Strange Expression
The Flehmen response allows animals to analyse scents in a much more detailed way than simply using their noses.
When a lion makes this unusual facial expression, it draws scent particles towards a special sensory organ called the vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of the mouth.
This helps the animal understand important information hidden in scents, almost like reading a message left behind by another animal.
Lions Use Scent to Understand Their World
For lions, smell plays a huge role in communication.
A male lion may use the Flehmen response after detecting the scent of a female, especially when checking if she is ready to mate. It can also help him identify other lions moving through his territory.
In the African bush, scent tells a story. It reveals who has been there, what has happened and what might happen next.
Not Just a Lion Behaviour
Although lions are often the stars of safari sightings when it comes to the Flehmen response, they are not the only African animals that use it.
Leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, rhinos and many antelope species can all display this fascinating behaviour.
Each species uses scent differently, but the purpose remains the same — gathering information in a world where survival depends on understanding every clue in the environment.
A Window Into the Hidden World of Wildlife
One of the things we love at KhakiBush is that moments like these remind us there is so much more happening in nature than meets the eye.
A lion lying under a tree may look relaxed, but it is constantly processing information. Every sound, movement and scent helps it understand its surroundings.
Few experiences compare to watching these small moments of natural behaviour unfold in front of you on safari.
The Magic Is in the Details
The next time you're exploring Africa and a lion pulls what looks like a funny face, take a closer look.
You aren't watching a strange expression — you're witnessing a remarkable survival tool that has evolved over thousands of years.
These small behaviours are what make Africa's wildlife so captivating. Every safari is a lesson in nature, reminding us why protecting these incredible animals and their habitats matters.
This article is written by Craig Mitchell, KhakiBush Magazine editor, conservationist, guide, adventurer, and explorer. Craig personally guides safari and adventure expeditions, sharing his passion for Africa's wild places through authentic wildlife encounters, remote landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
