Photo by @andywcoleman // When you see the details, its no wonder a lion's yawn can look so ferocious. The canines, the four largest teeth, can reach up to 3 inches in length are are used to rip skin and tear away meat. The lion’s tongue is extremely rough, like sandpaper. It is covered in tiny spines, called papillae, which face backwards and are used to scrape meat from bones. This male gave us several great yawns early in the morning, before getting up and walking into the woods. Taken while on safari at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge, near Kruger National Park in South Africa. #natgeolodges #sabisabi #bigcats