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 hide during rainy weather?
Why do some males have black manes?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
How do lions kill their prey?
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What are the normal causes of death in lions?
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Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Do lions often become man eaters?
How large is the average lion pride?
Can the female lion roar?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
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Do lions eat carrion?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
What are lions breeding habits?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Can lions swim?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Where can Honey Badgers be found in the Kruger National Park?
Do baboons migrate?
Do Thick Tailed Bushbabies demarcate their territory?
What is an impala?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
What is the life span of a lesser bushbaby?
Where can Suni be found in the Kruger National Park?
Where can Aardwolves be found in the Kruger Park?
What is the lifespan of an impala?
Can cheetahs climb trees?
Are impalas endangered?
What do Elands look like?
Do lions have enemies?
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What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby look like?
How fast are cheetahs?
Are Servals social animals?
Are cheetahs territorial?
How fast can hyaena run?
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How fast can impalas run?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
May I feed the animals in Kruger Park?
What is the gestation period of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What do cheetahs eat?
Can porcupines shoot their quills?
When do young lions become independent?
What are the major physical features of the Vervet Monkey?
Do lions communicate well?
Are Brown Hyenas dangerous?
What is the size and weight of an Aardwolf?
What is a Honey Badger?
What are some of the interesting facts about the impala found in the Kruger Park?
Can Serval be kept as pets?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
What is the breeding season for impalas?
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How fast can cheetahs run?
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