Male lions really look the part of the "king of beasts". Their lives are full of violence, exploitation and sex—in other words just like human royalty through much of history.

Females, on the other hand are sleek efficient hunters. They must kill most of the prey, which is very dangerous work.

for many years field biologists who study lions have realized that cooperative hunting is an illusion

At one of the kills a small herd of elephant came in to investigate. They clearly were thinking about rescuing the buffalo—they trumpeted and the herd matriarch ripped a tree of out the ground to impress the lions

The prime spot to start is always claimed by the dominant female, or if the male is there, he takes the prime spot. The prime spot is not what you might thing—it is the rectum.

1 hour after kill

after 24 hours

Lion sex is interesting to watch, but I fear that admission may tell you more about me than about them