Lions are the only one of the big cats that forms social groups. Lions live in groups called “prides,” which consist of a few males and several females. The male lions share dominance – there is no single leader of the pride. And although the females do most of the hunting, the myth of the males sitting around is truly a myth; the males help in bringing down large prey.

Males take the lead in protecting the pride. Food needs to be protected from marauding hyenas. And small nomadic groups of lions will periodically attack the pride. These nomads are mostly male, since young males are forced out of the pride as soon as they are old enough to threaten the established males. They join up with other males and wander the territory until they are large and strong enough to challenge a dominant male. If the challenge is successful, the new male is established in the pride and can begin to mate.