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.