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
Do lions attack elephants?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Can the female lion roar?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Are lions territorial?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Can lions swim?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do lions communicate well?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Do lions eat carrion?
Do lions have enemies?
Do lions scavenge?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
When do young lions become independent?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
How large is the average lion pride?
How do lions kill their prey?
Do lions move around during the day?
Do lions often become man eaters?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Where can Suni be found in the Kruger National Park?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Do leopards roar?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
Are porcupines found in Kruger National Park?
Are Suni social animals?
Where can I find Klipspringers in Kruger National Park?
What do Elands eat?
Do elephants have good memories?
What is the general behaviour of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Where can I see Mountain Reedbucks in the Kruger Park?
What do Suni eat?
Is the cheetah a true cat?
What is the general behaviour of a Thick Tailed Bushbaby?
Do Blue wildebeest migrate?
What kind of sounds do cheetahs make?
How do spotted hyenas hunt?
How many muscles does an elephant trunk have?
When do hyaenas hunt?
Can visitors go on walking safaris to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby eat?
What is a Brown Hyena?
Can cheetahs climb trees?
What do Honey Badgers eat?
Are Aardwolves social animals?
Can lions swim?
Are Honey Badgers endangered?
What do Mountain Reedbucks eat?
What are the Thick Tailed Bushbabies enemies?
Do porcupines have any predators?
How big are porcupines?
Is there a specific breeding season, and how long is the gestation period of a cheetah?
Can visitors interact with the mammals in Kruger National Park?
Are spotted hyenas endangered?
What is a Serval?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Do Brown Hyenas live in packs?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
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