10 Reasons Why The Hyenas Are The True Heroes Of The Lion King

10. The Circle Of Life Isn't Even A Circle

The ‘Circle of Life,’ sounds really nice in theory, but it's actually a big lie. Here's how Mufasa explains it:

Mufasa: Everything you see exists together, in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures - from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.

Simba: But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?

Mufasa: ::Laughs:: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass. And the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.

So, Mufasa, since the lion fertilizes the grass with his dead corpse, that completes the circle? All’s fair and balanced? Try telling that to the antelope.

Antelopes, and for that matter, all herbivores, die and fertilize the grass as well. By Mufasa’s oversimplified viewpoint, the Circle could be complete without any lion involvement at all. What Mufasa ought to say is that the lions, which are big predators, keep the herbivore population in check. This, in turn, prevents overfeeding on the local vegetation, and preserves the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

But that wouldn’t be a Circle, would it? That would be an ecological pyramid, which places the lions on the very top.