Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s The Lion Inside story is great fun to read, telling the tale of a mouse who wants to find his roar. In it, the lion is always showing off and all the other animals admire him; he never gets overlooked like the poor mouse. But in reality, lions are much more laid back, despite being called the kings of the jungle. Here, we explore what real lions do with their day. 

Early Morning (5am to 8am) - Rest and Food

While us humans might just be waking up for work or school at this time, lions are getting ready to rest after a busy night of hunting or patrolling. As nocturnal creatures who are most active at dusk or dawn, lions will spend the early hours of the day enjoying the cooler temperatures. If they were successful in a hunt during the night, the pack will also eat, starting with the dominant males and females. 

Midday (8am to 4pm) - Rest and Shade 

Did you know that lions can spend up to 20-hours a day resting? This is because they need to conserve their energy for hunting. As their natural habitat is very hot, a lion pride will typically seek shelter under trees or bushes, laying on their backs and exposing their bellies to help cool their bodies. During this time, cubs might play and adults might groom to break the monotony. 

Midday in the Savannah is all about taking things easy and not wasting too much energy by doing unnecessary tasks. Lions try to avoid any kind of movement or conflict during this time.

Evening (4pm to 7pm) Stretching and Scouting

As the temperature cools and the light starts to fade, lions begin to wake up for the night. They groom each other to reinforce social bonds and start to gear up for a busy evening of patrolling their territory or scouting for prey. The females are the main hunters, and if the pride needs a meal, they go out to look for animals such as zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and warthogs. The lionesses work as a team, often using cover and ambush tactics.

Night (7pm to 5pm) The Hunt 

As nocturnal creatures, lions have exceptional night vision which allows them to spot prey. Hunting will usually take place under the cover of darkness, and consists of a coordinated stalk, a sudden burst of energy (lions can reach 50mph) and then the final takedown. Successful hunts are vital for lions to keep up their energy and stamina. Lions also do a lot of roaring during this time which helps to mark their territory. A lion’s roar can typically be heard up to five miles away.

If you love reading The Lion Inside board book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, be sure to book The Lion Inside at a theatre near you. This heart-warming tale is told live on stage with stunning puppetry and lively songs. And at just 55 minutes with no interval, it’s perfect for children aged three and up.