Watch a Selfish Male Lion Hoard All of the Meat For Himself While Others Watch

Being a wise ruler isn’t as easy as it might look. In the video below, the notorious king of the jungle has decided that today, sharing isn’t caring! We first see a pride of lions gathering around a kill, but it’s obvious who’s actually getting to feast. One male lion is dining as the nearby lionesses tussle, then one decides to approach the king. This idea is short-lived, though, because the mighty king then decides to teach her a lesson she won’t soon forget! If that wasn’t enough, while that harsh lecturing is going on, another lioness heads for the food. Surprisingly, another male rushes in to ensure she too learns whose turn it is to eat. Scroll down to see it in action!

See How Fussy Big Cats Can Get

How Long Can Lions Go Without Eating?

Let’s start by saying that lions, due to their intense physique, aren’t good at going on diets! As big cats that require constant nutrition from meat-based sources, high food intake is required for survival. Normally, a pride would be able to send its huntresses to collect enough kills to feed all of its members. However, the African environment and seasons can be severe at times, making hunts less than profitable. Particularly the dry seasons, which occur at slightly different times across the continent, see reduced prey counts. This is due to animals like wildebeests and zebras traveling elsewhere where their food supply is more bountiful. Clearly, this can easily stir up the food chain for predators like the lion, who prefer to order in large portions!

So, how long can these mighty warriors of the savanna go without a single bite to eat? Basically, no more than a week, which can become a pressing matter when prey is scarce. To make matters worse, male lions are physically larger and stronger, and therefore need more sustenance in order to remain healthy. No wonder the big guys in the video above are getting a bit cranky about the idea of sharing!

What Do Other Male Lions Do in a Pride?

The primary male in a group of lions will always strive to maintain balance and order within his pride. He is, after all, the king! While he doesn’t hunt very often, it can still be an option from time to time. However, he’ll save his strength for battling any opposing animals, including rogue males looking to overthrow him. When he’s not handling that, he’ll patrol his territory and ensure it’s marked properly. That way, no unwanted visitors will drop in unexpectedly and try to cause trouble for the pride.

Many prides also feature other male lions, aside from the king himself. These individuals have similar responsibilities as the king but have less social standing. Also, when they reach a certain level of maturity, they’ll often depart in search of a pride of their own.