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What are the preferred prey species of lion?

Lions generally favour medium to large prey such as zebras, wildebeest, African buffalo and giraffe. They prey on at least 37 species of large and small mammal, ranging in size from hippos, young elephants and giraffes, down to impalas, warthogs, ostrich, small crocodiles and even mice and tortoises. They sometimes kill other carnivores but rarely eat them. In the Park they tend to prey more upon zebras and wildebeest in wet spells and upon buffalo and waterbuck during dry spells.

A kill does not necessarily signify a lions preference, but may rather be as a result of the availability and vulnerability of the prey. Preference ratings differ from one area to another and even within the same area at different times. The rating is calculated by dividing the kill frequency by the relative abundance of the prey. On this basis it was found that waterbuck appear to be the preferred prey of lions. In proportion to the numbers of waterbuck in the Park, therefore, lions kill more waterbuck than any other prey. On the other hand, if the actual numbers of animals killed are considered, wildebeest, zebras and impalas actually feature more prominently than waterbuck.

Considering the biomass of prey killed, larger animals would provide the largest biomass, especially African Buffalo and giraffes, followed by wildebeest, zebras, impalas, kudu and waterbuck. Lions frequently scavenge.

More information on Lion

Continue learning about Lion in Kruger National Park.

Are lions cannibalistic? Are lions sometimes injured by their prey? Are lions territorial? Are male lions more aggressive than females? Are the senses of a lion well developed? Are young adults expelled from the pride? At what age are lions sexually mature? Can lions climb trees? Can lions swim? Can the female lion roar? Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal? Do all male lions possess a mane? Do female lions secure food for their cubs? Do lions attack elephants? Do lions communicate well? Do lions eat carrion? Do lions have a social hierarchy? Do lions have enemies? Do lions hide during rainy weather? Do lions kill only when they are hungry? Do lions kill their prey quickly? Do lions move around during the day? Do lions often become man eaters? Do lions scavenge? Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt? Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes? Do the female lions do most of the hunting? Do the home ranges of lions overlap? Does a pride of lions accept a stranger? Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation? How do lions kill their prey? How far can the roar of a lion be heard? How large is the average lion pride? How long do African Lions sleep on average? How much meat can a lion consume during one meal? How often do female lions produce cubs? Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period? Is lion cub mortality high? Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another? Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
View Topic: Mammals
Are Aardwolves endangered? Are Aardwolves social animals? Are Blue wildebeest endangered? Are Brown Hyenas dangerous? Are cheetahs dangerous to man? Are cheetahs often robbed of their kill? Are cheetahs solitary animals? Are cheetahs territorial? Are Elands dangerous? Are hippos dangerous? Are honey badgers dangerous? Are Honey Badgers endangered? Are impalas endangered? Are Klipspringers easy to spot in Kruger National Park? Are Klipspringers endangered? Are leopards territorial? Are leopards very susceptible to disease? Are lions cannibalistic? Are lions sometimes injured by their prey? Are lions territorial? Are male lions more aggressive than females? Are Mountain Reedbucks dangerous? Are Mountain Reedbucks endangered? Are porcupines dangerous to humans? Are porcupines found in Kruger National Park? Are Porcupines rodents? Are Serval endangered? Are Servals social animals? Are spotted hyenas dangerous to humans? Are spotted hyenas endangered? Are spotted hyenas social animals? Are Suni endangered? Are Suni social animals? Are the senses of a lion well developed? Are there any conservation efforts in place to protect hippos in Kruger National Park? Are there any endangered mammal species in Kruger National Park? Are there any nocturnal mammals in Kruger National Park? Are there any predators that hunt Klipspringers in Kruger National Park? Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park? Are Thick Tailed Bushbabies territorial and to they actively defend their territory?

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