Portrait of a male lion in South Africa lying on the ground at sunset

A lion’s lie-down

Ever wonder why lions star in ancient stories and myths from all over the world, yet are only found in scattered pockets of sub-Saharan Africa? It’s because these proud predators once had a much wider swath to stalk. Long ago, lions were found not only throughout Africa, but across South and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southern Europe – possibly as far north as France. Though the passing of millennia has seen lions’ numbers dwindle, their regal image still captivates people everywhere – even though these powerful cats are only active four hours a day, spending the rest of it resting like this king.