How do lions kill their prey?

The method of killing varies with the species and size of the prey. Small animals are usually swatted down and then grabbed with both paws. The killing bite is directed at the back of the neck, throat, head or even the chest. Animals such as wildebeest, zebras and African buffalo are often killed by suffocation, the lion clamping its jaws over the mouth and nostrils of the prey.

Frequently, prey is held down by the pride, which starts feeding before the prey is dead. This quickly leads to the death of the prey animal. Many authors have indicated that prey animals are killed by breaking the neck. However, it is interesting to note that in several hundred kills examined buy George Schaller, an authority on lions, he could not find a single instance in which the preys neck was broken.

A lion is generally unable to run as fast as its prey, but when it charges unexpectedly, and the prey is still accelerating, it can come up from behind or even run alongside before attacking.