Sometimes a male will only be in charge of a pride for two years. However, groups of males are more successful and can remain in control for four-five years. There is some disagreement about why lions live in prides. There are advantages and disadvantages. Although it is easier for lions to bring down their large prey animals when hunting as a group, this may not result in the individuals getting more food than when hunting alone - there is usually a lot of squabbling and fighting going on at the kill, and it also has to be shared with members in the pride who do not hunt.
Social living can be a benefit when defending and looking after the young.
The young can then be reared communally, with the cubs suckling from any of the females in milk. Lions do seem to get a lot of pleasure from each other's company, when not under pressure, and are very affectionate and playful with each other. Generally large ungulates such as buffalo, zebra and wildebeest but lions will also take a wide range of prey, from rodents to young rhinos, hippos and elephants. Lions in the Kalahari desert have been seen eating tsama melons. In captivity lions can live up to 25-30 years.