Despite their reduced role in hunting, male Lions will often eat of the prey first, followed by the females and the cubs. If food is scarce Lion cubs often must starve due to their low place in the pride s feeding chain. There are often only a very few males in a pride ranging from 30 to 40 members, and those males do not stay long with the pride. The right to stay with the pride is an honor that must be fought over. The victor Lion stays with the pride, while the unfortunate loser must locate another pride to join.
Some sources state a male s stay with the pride can last anywhere from six months to six years.
When grown, male Lions often leave their pride of birth to search out another pride to join. The Lion is a powerful, muscular cat. With a large head and body of well-proportioned features, the Lion is one of the largest of the exotic cats, with males growing to almost 10 feet in length and weighing from 350 to 550 pounds. Female Lions are slightly smaller, weighing 250 to 450 pounds. The Lion s tail typically measures from 24 to 36 inches in length.