Do lions kill only when they are hungry?
Lions are opportunistic predators and will attempt to kill whenever the opportunity presents itself. Although they kill only to sustain themselves, they do occasionally kill much more than they can consume. This usually happens when the prey animals are in a weak and emaciated condition and unable to escape or offer resistance.
On some occasions during droughts, when prey animals concentrate in large numbers around the last remaining water holes, lions, particularly young individuals, have been seen to kill several head of prey in a herd.
During the severe drought of 1996, a pride of lions killed five adult and 10 young African buffalo from a starving herd in one locality near Punda Maria. Similarly, near Lower Sabie a pride of lions killed six buffalo from a herd.
More frequently asked questions on the Lion
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
When do young lions become independent?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Can the female lion roar?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Do lions attack elephants?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do lions have enemies?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Do lions move around during the day?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Can lions climb trees?
Why do some males have black manes?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Are lions territorial?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
How do lions kill their prey?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Is lion cub mortality high?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
How do leopards manage to get very heavy prey into a tree?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Where can I find Klipspringers in Kruger National Park?
Are there any nocturnal mammals in Kruger National Park?
Do baboons have a specific breeding time?
How can I increase my chances of seeing mammals in Kruger National Park?
What is the general behaviour of a Vervet Monkey?
Do lions attack elephants?
What is the gestation period of a Thick Tailed Bushbaby?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Can lions swim?
How far can cheetah run at top speed?
Do Blue wildebeest migrate?
Are leopards very susceptible to disease?
Are honey badgers dangerous?
Where can I find hippos in Kruger National Park?
Do Suni have any predators?
Are Vervet Monkeys intelligent?
What is the size and weight of an Aardwolf?
Are lions territorial?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do they attack other predators?
What is the lifespan of a porcupine?
What is a Klipspringer?
Do Brown Hyenas live in packs?
Do male baboons often kill each other in fights?
Can cheetahs climb trees?
Can porcupines shoot their quills?
How do Vervet Monkeys communicate and are they aggressive?
Where can I find Brown Hyenas in Kruger Park?
When do leopard cubs become independent?
What kind of sounds do cheetahs make?
It is said that baboons could kill a leopard. Is this true?
How do elephants use their tusks?
What is a Serval?
When do hyaenas hunt?
Do elephants have a dominant tusk?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
What is the lifespan of an impala?
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