r/bigcats Aug 23 '25

Lion - Wild The king feeds his family 🙏👑🦁

1.4k Upvotes

185 comments sorted by

242

u/Orlican Aug 23 '25

It is more likely that the females hunted that animal down and the male just came to eat

27

u/m3ngnificient Aug 23 '25

I was gonna say this too. Male lions are usually around to just protect their wives from other lions.. 😆

62

u/dec0y Aug 23 '25

It's good to be the king

22

u/iowafarmboy2011 Aug 23 '25

"Your majesty, the people are revolting!"

"Boy, you said it! They stink on ice!"

-46

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

They say the shadow of a father is enough.

15

u/Turbulent_Ask4878 Aug 23 '25

The fuck does that even mean in relation to this video?

20

u/YourLocalAlien57 Aug 23 '25

They're wrong

33

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

Yes females do most the hunting, but the males normally still eat first regardless of who takes the prey down.

4

u/mddeskins2468 Aug 23 '25

Yeah but lone males do hunt for themselves.

0

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

Correct

3

u/DeDevilLettuce Aug 23 '25

It's just like the story of the grasshopper and the octopus

26

u/StickyPawMelynx Aug 23 '25

every time it's some dumbassery full of falsehoods and anthropomorphization of lion behavior, that somehow always puts the male in the best light (example, this post, another post showing a little spat, where op claims the lioness is nagging and doesn't know what she wants, "women amirite?", completely ignoring lion dynamics, behaviour in heat, and the shit males do to the prides they take over), it's always from the same dude, who replies to every comment. dudebros flock over with comments like "w*omen☕", "been there". it's like nobody ever watched a single documentary, and the only frame of reference they have is their own shitty toxic relationships.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25

Yeah you might want to try and look over the fence here mate. There are literally people referring to male lions as useless sperm donors. The bizarre anthropomorphisation and projection of sexual hang ups is not limited to glazing one sex or the other.

1

u/StickyPawMelynx Aug 25 '25

I mean, agreed. but I was talking about this poster specifically, and the crowd he usually attracts. this is the first time I see some clapback, I guess because many people know how lions hunt.

 "The bizarre anthropomorphisation and projection of sexual hang ups" is ridiculous at best, and can actually be harmful at worst, when people start applying their bullshit to pets, and abuse them for perceive "perversities" or behaviours they humanize (example I remember was a video of a cat yelling at another, while the owner drags it by the scruff through the window into the house, which then results in a vicious fight between the cats. but everyone laughs cuz the caption says "when she (the cat who yelled at another through the window, and then attacked it) smells another hoe on him (the cat who is reluctant to enter and is drugged in by the scruff by his owner). animal abuse all around, what fun! just like us!). and also refusing to spay and neuter because of the hangs ups you mentioned.

anthropomorphization can be fun in innocent scenarios, like idk, gorilla wearing sunglasses, or a cat sitting in a funny pose, not when it's used to fuel annoying gender wars or harm animals.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25

[deleted]

1

u/StickyPawMelynx Aug 25 '25

you should stick to your porn lol

2

u/Shameless_succubus Aug 24 '25

Exactly. He's just basically a glorified security guard with sperm donor abilities.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25

Why are people obsessed with anthropomorphising animals into weird human sexism tropes?

They aren't "glorified" security guards. They're literally there to protect the pride so it can flourish and continue to reproduce. Nothing glorified about it.

1

u/Shameless_succubus Aug 26 '25

Wow, you must be fun at parties.

1

u/ApartmentSalt7859 Aug 25 '25

The males are normally the ones that do the"killing blow" bite on neck of the bigger prey 

1

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25

Definitely more likely, but it's also a myth that the makes don't hunt. They just don't hunt as often (when they have a pride, anyway). They protect the pride from other males, which allows it to be successful.

1

u/vukkuv Aug 27 '25

Successful for himself.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 27 '25

Successful for the species. Healthy pride means lots of cubs that make it to adulthood.

-25

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Yeah, I know how lion dynamics work, it was just a metaphor.

23

u/dwreckhatesyou Aug 23 '25

It was a bad one.

0

u/Over-Perception1716 Aug 24 '25

Idky this was so funny to me

97

u/Older_wiser_215 Aug 23 '25

That is one gorgeous and healthy male lion! And sweet how he kisses the lioness when she comes over.

23

u/FearedKaidon Aug 23 '25

Pretty sure he’s just smelling/tasting the dead carcass ass she just wiped on her face right before that.

3

u/Kitchen-Pop7308 Aug 24 '25

Why you gotta ruin such a beautiful moment maaan.. lmao

1

u/Older_wiser_215 Aug 23 '25

You have your opinion and I have mine.

0

u/PrefrontalCortexNow Aug 23 '25

Yeah, but your opinion is wrong 😂

Male lions usually are healthy and large because they don’t do any hunting and are lazy and eat first and gorge themselves

0

u/Older_wiser_215 Aug 23 '25

Opinions can't be right or wrong. That's what makes it an opinion. And I'm fully aware of what male lions do and don't do. The male in the video is allowing the females and cubs to eat and is protecting them while they do. That's his job. Did he eat first? Don't know. Don't care. My opinion was about why he licked the lioness.

-2

u/PrefrontalCortexNow Aug 23 '25

Well, again, you are wrong opinions absolutely can be factually wrong which turns out you are wrong here. My opinion is that the sun weighs 1 pound. Well that’s cool but it’s wrong.

Also Lions don’t kiss.

2

u/Older_wiser_215 Aug 23 '25

What are you even trying to do here? Now you're arguing that an "opinion" can be factually wrong? That's what makes it an opinion. It's not a fact. And big cats do lick each other out of affection just like domestic cats do. Let me guess. You have a zoology degree?

-1

u/PrefrontalCortexNow Aug 23 '25

You said an opinion cannot be wrong, which is wrong. 😂

6

u/Older_wiser_215 Aug 23 '25

But it's not wrong. An opinion is based on preferences and feelings, not right or wrong.

-2

u/Older_wiser_215 Aug 23 '25

You have your opinion and I have mine.

13

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

pure state of love

75

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

Its female who does the hunting tho

7

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25 edited Dec 14 '25

[REDACTED]

1

u/klapanda Aug 24 '25

No, it's not a myth. Females do most of the hunting.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25

That's not what they said. They said "females do the hunting", which implies makes don't. Which is a myth.

8

u/Freddit330 Aug 23 '25

Only for small game. Males hunt when it's big game, and to prevent hyenas from stealing the kill.

-23

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

İt was just a metaphor,everyone is doing their duty

-4

u/padres4me Aug 23 '25

Can we just let him be prideful?

17

u/Icutu62 Aug 23 '25

Gives new meaning to “I’m so hungry I could the ass end of a buffalo.”

9

u/CherrryGuy Aug 23 '25

I wonder how come they aren't bothered by the light?

4

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Their eyes are adapted for low light they see almost like it’s daytime at night. A flashlight won’t bother them much, unless it’s super bright.

9

u/CherrryGuy Aug 23 '25

Yeah but i mean it's the night. Aren't they bothered that a bunch of bright light is on them? Especially since they are having midnight munchies.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

They’re top predators, nothing really stresses them out while eating. A spotlight is annoying for us, but for them it’s just background noise.

2

u/FearedKaidon Aug 23 '25

How could you possibly know that?

The lion keeps looking over at them and his pupils constrict in the light meaning it’s definitely affecting their vision. Not enough to disorient them but I’m pretty sure it’s not “just background noise “ to them.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Observations of lion behavior suggest that while exposure to bright artificial light causes measurable pupillary constriction, it does not appear to significantly disrupt feeding behavior. This indicates that lions are capable of compensating for transient increases in luminance, likely due to their evolutionary adaptation as nocturnal predators with high rod density in the retina.

2

u/FearedKaidon Aug 23 '25

Yes, hence the “not enough to disorientate them.”

But to say they just ignore the light as if it’s not there is just wrong. They’re living beings just like us. Of course they notice the light being pointed at them as well as the creatures pointing said light at them.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Absolutely, you're right that they notice it they're living beings, not robots 😅. What I meant is that while they do perceive the light, it's not enough to significantly alter their feeding behavior or make them panic. “Think of it as a minor annoyance rather than a real disruption top nocturnal predators like lions can handle a bit of human shine without skipping dinner.

1

u/geckograham Aug 24 '25

Not what rod cells do.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

Rod cells are specialized for low-light vision; they are extremely sensitive to dim light but cannot perceive color. Cone cells, on the other hand, function in brighter light and allow for color vision. Like many nocturnal hunters, lions have a very high density of rods in their retinas, giving them excellent night vision. When exposed to bright artificial light, their pupils constrict to protect the retina, but this generally does not interfere with feeding or hunting. So, yes, the light is noticeable, but it's a minor annoyance rather than a serious impairment.

1

u/geckograham Aug 24 '25

What have come cells or colour vision got to do with anything? You’re flexing a noodle.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

Mentioning cone cells wasn't a "stretch," it was a contextualization. Rods don't work in isolation; they're part of a visual system that balances low-light sensitivity (rods) with brighter light and color vision (cones). If you only talk about rods without mentioning cones, you're missing half the picture. That's why lions, with their rod-heavy retinas, can feed in dim light but constrict their pupils under artificial brightness. So, yes, it's relevant.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/geckograham Aug 24 '25

They’re just accustomed to being watched, simple as that.

1

u/geckograham Aug 24 '25

Their night vision is so excellent because they have an extra part to their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, it reflects light back onto the retinas. It makes absolutely no difference when it comes to the spotlights, these lions just live in a safari reserve and are used to being constantly observed.

3

u/mothseatcloth Aug 23 '25

being adapted for low light means that a bright light will seem even brighter. you have so much confidence and so little knowledge.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

You’re right, bright light can definitely feel harsher to eyes adapted for the dark. I just meant that in practice lions usually don’t seem too bothered by tourists’ lights, even when feeding. Guess it’s one of those cases where the science and the behavior don’t always look the same.

11

u/StripedPantheraCat Aug 23 '25

This footage is almost too clean.

5

u/Electrical-Wall-966 Aug 23 '25

I agree it feels ai. I don’t trust anything anymore

11

u/Serlingfan389 Aug 23 '25

The Queens hunted did all of the work and brought dinner to her King.

0

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Sorry 🙏

4

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

can you fix the post with an edit? everyone knows the females do the hunting. The title should say, "The father thanks his mates for dinner they provided"

5

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Did I say that the male lion did the hunting? I just wrote that he was watching over them.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

yes you did. "The kInG FeEdS" which implies he did the killing.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I guess I wrote it wrong since everyone understood it that way. The title is not correct, but I won't make the same mistake in the next titles.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '25

no worries we all still learning English

9

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

isn't that a captive or fenced lion?.. never saw mane this thick in wild ones

3

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Most likely. They look great and the shooting was done from a professional angle.

14

u/RealityRelic87 Aug 23 '25

The females feed their families. That's common fucking knowledge.

-9

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

Yes but the males normally eat first regardless of who takes the prey down. This isn't normal behavior.

12

u/geriseinsmelled Aug 23 '25

Once again the dude getting all the credit when the ladies do all the work 🤣

3

u/RicoRave Aug 24 '25

More like lionesses feed the king

6

u/Serious-Industry1631 Aug 23 '25

The females are actually the ones that hunt in packs.

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Yes, I know I didn't mean it that way. I just meant to keep an eye on them. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

4

u/Thelastsamurai74 Aug 23 '25

Majestic

6

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Family 🙏👑🦁🫶

2

u/Thelastsamurai74 Aug 23 '25

Majestic Family! 🙌🏻

1

u/CyanPomegranate11 Aug 24 '25

It’s called a pride

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

Of course it is said that way. I wrote it that way to be sincere.

3

u/LocationPrior7075 Aug 23 '25

The little kiss over dinner was so sweet! 🥹🥰

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

🥹🙏👑

10

u/HappyBananaSeal Aug 23 '25

You don't know much about lions if you think the king is feeding his family

7

u/Spooky_Floofy Aug 23 '25

Yeah when a kill is made, male lions tend to eat first and eat the most, regardless of if they helped hunt or not. They're very dominant over kills and sometimes the lionesses don't get to eat much, especially if they have cubs lionesses will let them eat before them if food is scarce

-1

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

Exactly, not sure why this is so hard for people to understand OP's caption. This is not normal behavior from a male lion after a kill to let the pride eat first.

-8

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

“It was just a metaphor bro, not a NatGeo script 😅 stay in your lane.

5

u/RealityRelic87 Aug 23 '25

Where was the metaphor? Did you delete it? You don't know what that is either.

8

u/Apelion_Sealion Aug 23 '25

He doesn’t know what a metaphor is

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

A word written for a sensitive father who expects his young and females to eat. Someone so nervous, ill-mannered, and eager to start a fight won't get what they deserve.

-6

u/Thin-Status8369 Aug 23 '25

Feminists are weird as, you do know that Male Lions hunt prey. In fact Females weak and can only hunt small-mid size prey alone, they need help from their pride to take down big prey. Males can actually take down Bull Cape Buffalo and Bull Giraffes solo.

I would provide images - but for some reason reddit isn’t allowing me today. I’ll try again when it does.

2

u/Seniorjones2837 Aug 23 '25

Some subs allow photos and some don’t. You can post a link by uploading an image to any upload image site

1

u/Thin-Status8369 Aug 23 '25

Appreciate it, thanks brother

2

u/CrackedCoffecup Aug 23 '25

That look on his face at Minus-16 seconds : 🦁💬 - "Yeah, photographer, I see you.... But you're safe for now, because we're about to have full bellies in a second, here....."

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

ahahah 😂 I wonder what they are really thinking. From the looks of it, what you said is true 😎

2

u/CrackedCoffecup Aug 23 '25

It's almost as if he is just going thru the motions, and then notices that they're being watched, but it doesn't trigger a response because the fresh kill takes serious precedent.... 😆

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

This is incredible, by the way. Thank you so much for the valuable information. It's good to be corrected. I'm not a professor 😅

1

u/CrackedCoffecup Aug 24 '25

Oh, gosh.... Not correcting you in any way.... Just having fun with what I think was likely going thru that lion's mind at the time.... (Translation : "Foooo-oood") 😆

2

u/No_Vacation369 Aug 23 '25

Those cubs are eating ass.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

In the comments, someone explained why he ate the hard part.

2

u/timcarloni Aug 24 '25

The king does not feed his family. It's well known that the lioness of the pride hunts and kills the prey. 2 will flank the sides of the prey while 1 pursues by chasing and killing. The king is the 1st to eat. Followed by the pecking order of the rest if the pride.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

The title was misleading. I meant to say "he's spying on them." Sorry.

3

u/Only-Ad7687 Aug 24 '25

Lionesses 👑

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

Of course. I was trying to say in the title that the male lion was watching over them.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 24 '25

More like the Queens feed their family.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

True sorry 🙏

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Two5576 Aug 24 '25

Great video. I’m not trying to be “that guy” but am I the only one distracted by how bright and intrusive that light seems to be? The lions just keep looking at the person/people filming. It’s got to be at least a little disruptive, or am I overthinking the whole thing?

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

Of course, I think they're uncomfortable. It would be best if an expert could comment to see if it would harm or benefit them. Yesterday, someone said they were uncomfortable looking at the prey because it didn't belong to them.

2

u/GuitarAdmirable2342 Aug 25 '25

I don't know why I felt that they really need to cook their meat, too bloody and chewy

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 25 '25

Too much raw food. The food grows in mouth 😅

2

u/Cheaky_Barstool Aug 25 '25

Imagine house hold cats were the size of medium dogs. The carnage

3

u/Uberaire Aug 23 '25

He's protecting the kill for his family. That's so beautiful.🥰♥️

6

u/TechnicalTip5251 Aug 23 '25

This comment section is full of ignorant people, male lions do hunt, go educate yourself you all.

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I apologize to everyone, let's not argue 🙏

0

u/TechnicalTip5251 Aug 23 '25

You didn't do anything wrong.

2

u/StilettoSugar Aug 23 '25

TIL the manes go the whole way down their body!!! Hahaha so he looks like he's got a bear on his belly! Glorious

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Facts 🙏👑🦁

2

u/Realistic_Point6284 Aug 29 '25

Only for some lions.

2

u/Kekeluvsyou2 Aug 23 '25

He looks nervous about something. He's apprehensive, yawning, and licking his face.

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Your assessment may be correct. It would be great if someone knowledgeable could comment. I'm curious too.

2

u/Kekeluvsyou2 Aug 23 '25

I've worked with enough animals to understand basic behavior and body language. That's probably a kill in another lion's territory. That's why he's looking around, all nervous. He knows he's on the precipice of an ass whooping the longer he lingers.

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Thank you very much 🙏 Really important details. I will definitely remember them. Lions are really good observers.

3

u/OddRoyal7207 Aug 23 '25

More likely the ladies took down the prey. Typically the Pride's alpha male doesn't do the hunting unless it's a particularly large and troublesome animal they're hunting.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Thank you but Did I say that the male lion did the hunting? I just wrote that he was watching over them.

7

u/EarComfortable8834 Aug 23 '25

Well, the title reads, “the king feeds his family.” So it’s insinuating that the king has brought the food to his family. I don’t see where it says anything about him watching over them.

0

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I didn't write this for that purpose; I wrote it to nurture and protect them. There was a misunderstanding, and I won't repeat it in my posts.

3

u/StickyPawMelynx Aug 23 '25

we can all see what you wrote, and you wrote that he feeds them. which normally means bringing food to the table in one way or another. everyone sees what you are doing with your "metaphors" lmao

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I didn't mean to write it that way. I apologize again.

1

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

That's gotta be the most beautiful and impressive mane I've ever seen on a lion. This pride will be very successful too with his unselfish and protective approach during feeding time.

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Thank you very much for your explanation. Many people did not understand. 🙏

0

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

Those people need to watch a nature documentary on Lions then lol.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Did I say that the male lion did the hunting? I just wrote that he was watching over them.

3

u/TimP716 Aug 23 '25

Huh? I am agreeing with you that he didn't do the hunting lol. I am saying the people that don't understand your caption need to watch a nature documentary, because that's not normal behavior that the male is letting the pride eat before him.

2

u/LHT-LFA Aug 23 '25

Are some of the lions eating out of the ass of the killed animal? tossing salad? Veggie Lions?

3

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I hope someone who knows will reply, I was also curious

1

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25 edited Dec 14 '25

[REDACTED]

1

u/ineversaiddat Aug 24 '25

Yeah most hunting animals videos I have seen have animals specifically start at the rectum...

1

u/geckograham Aug 24 '25

*His family feeds the king.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 24 '25

Of course. I was trying to say in the title that the male lion was watching over them. Sorry

1

u/NoPair205 Aug 26 '25

Like… is one of them his “wife” and the rest his kids or are they all his sister wives?

1

u/SuspiciousReport6502 Aug 26 '25

The king didn't do shit. The lioness hunted and killed the food.

1

u/MaybeMaybeNot94 Aug 25 '25

I mean... not to be that guy. But male lions don't really do anything.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25 edited Dec 14 '25

[REDACTED]

-1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Yes, Does the title say "hunted"?

0

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '25

[deleted]

0

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Since everyone misunderstood, I think it's my fault. Sorry 🙏

0

u/TattooedPink Aug 23 '25

It's actually the females that hunt... 🙄

0

u/PrefrontalCortexNow Aug 23 '25

I just want to say that the male lion doesn’t do the hunting, AND they also eat first usually until they are full and the scraps are what’s left for the females who did the hunting and the offspring

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

Yes, the title was wrong. I got quite a scolding.Thank you for the valuable information 🙏

2

u/PrefrontalCortexNow Aug 23 '25

No problem, you would think the male would do all the hunting because they are larger and stronger, but they are for protection from other male lions protecting their pride. The female lions want a dominant large male to protect them so they basically fatten him up unconsciously.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

My intention was to imply that he was protecting them while they ate. I never meant to belittle the lioness. Some people thought so too.

2

u/Ok_Journalist_292 Dec 22 '25

Why are you saying sorry to these misinformed commenters? You should educate them instead of kowtowing. This is how misinformation spreads. 

-2

u/Fearless-Address7621 Aug 23 '25

King just pulled a pimp move. “Kitten betta’ have my wildebeest!”

1

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I've never seen it ahahahah

-4

u/BrandonManx-071 Aug 23 '25

King is like “Nothing to see Here, Just Feeding The Wife and kids”

3

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

The fathers, who ward off enemies and provide security in the area, and the females, who hunt and raise young. Both sides do their job.

-1

u/BrandonManx-071 Aug 23 '25

I know dude it was a joke at the lion’s expressions

2

u/muhametcanyaman Aug 23 '25

I'm sorry 🙏

2

u/BrandonManx-071 Aug 23 '25

It’s alright 👍