[AnotherUnixGeek]

Male lions lead short, brutal lives that often end in the jaws of other lions. Most male adult lions never control prides and spend their lives as nomads, either alone or with a small number of other nomad males. The males who do gain control of prides spend their time patrolling their territory and defending against nomads hoping to overthrow them, which eventually happens and ends with them dead or becoming nomads themselves.

[caww]

That's often true....I’ve watch some of the many videos when they try and take over a pride.......sometimes two or three males will gang up and try to get at the ‘King”.....not a pretty sight and can be very ferocious fighting.

[Tymesup]

One day, you’ve got lionesses bringing you back fresh zebra. The next, you’re trying to figure out how to eat porcupine.

The male helps bring down larger game, is a hyena’s worst nightmare, and wears himself out when the lionesses are in heat. Apparently, they will bite his balls if he’s not delivering, up to 20-40 times a day.