Who’s Really the King of the Jungle? Debunking the Lion Myth
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Debunking the Lion Myth: Who Really Rules the Jungle? By WildlifeLens — August 2025 The phrase “king of the jungle” is almost always linked to lions, but the title doesn’t quite match reality. Lions don’t actually live in jungles — their true habitat is the grasslands and savannas of Africa. In this post, we’ll look at how the nickname began, how lions behave in the wild, and why other animals might be more deserving of the crown in their own environments. Image Credit: by Bernard DUPONT, via Wikimedia Commons ( CC BY-SA 2.0 ). The lion has always been seen as a symbol of strength and courage, which is why people often call it the “king of the jungle.” For centuries, lions have appeared in stories, art, and even films as rulers of the wild. But in truth, lions don’t live in jungles — they are found in open grasslands and savannas. Looking at where this nickname came from, and comparing lions with other top predators, gives us a better picture of how animals survive and sha...