When bedtime rolls around, kids love nothing better than to snuggle up with a story before they go to sleep. Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s books are an excellent option thanks to their rhyming narratives, energetic artwork and positive messaging. The Lion Inside is a mouse-and-lion story with a moral, teaching children that courage comes in many forms and that even the smallest of us can face our fears. 

A story for lion lovers can, of course, prompt questions from curious kids. Are lions really afraid of mice? What does a day in the life of a lion look like? Why do they live in prides? Here, we explain why lions live in prides and investigate how the dynamics of these social groups work. 

Why do lions live in prides?

Unlike most cats, which are solitary, lions live in social groups called prides. These can range in size from three to 40 members, most of whom are female. Typically there are no more than four males. 

According to research, lions live in prides to establish and defend territories that provide them with enough food, water and shelter to survive. They raise cubs as a group, with sisters and aunts helping the mothers to provide care and protection. This ensures the survival of as many cubs as possible. They also hunt together, which improves their chances of success. A group of lions has a 30% chance of making a kill, while a solitary lion faces tougher odds, with only a 17-19% chance of success. 

Pride dynamics

The pride is a complex unit, and each has a specific hierarchy. To function, the lions must cooperate and forge strong relationships. The females in particular must coordinate their efforts to hunt and rear their cubs, but males also play a role in hunting and protecting cubs. 

A pride usually has around 12 females, who are typically related and remain in the same pride for their entire lives. There are also three to four dominant males who are responsible for defending the group’s territory and its resources. Young males stay with the pride into which they were born for several years before leaving to establish their own pride or take over that of another male. 

Pride dynamics often change dramatically if an outside male takes over. The new leader will kill any cubs, eliminating competition and ensuring his own genetic success. This act also forces the females back into estrus, meaning they will be ready to mate and conceive the new male’s cubs. In addition to this, the arrival of a new male can result in changes to how resources are allocated and defended, as well as alterations to the social hierarchy among the females. 

Discover The Lion Inside

If you’re in London this Easter, why not see a lion story live on stage? The Lion Inside is playing at the Southbank Centre, using song, dance and puppetry to retell this charming story. At 55 minutes long, it’s ideal for kids aged three and up, and is sure to delight the whole family. Book your tickets today.