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
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do lions often become man eaters?
What are lions breeding habits?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Can the female lion roar?
How large is the average lion pride?
Do lions eat carrion?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Do lions have enemies?
Do lions move around during the day?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Can lions swim?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Why do some males have black manes?
Are lions territorial?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Are lions cannibalistic?
How do lions kill their prey?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
Do lions attack elephants?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Are Brown Hyenas dangerous?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Why are leopards so seldom seen?
Can visitors go on walking safaris to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Why do leopards hang their prey in trees?
Is there a specific breeding season, and how long is the gestation period of a cheetah?
How do Elephants Communicate?
Do lions move around during the day?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
How is the prey of a cheetah caught and killed?
What do Honey Badgers eat?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
What is the gestation period of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Are Elands dangerous?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Is the leopard a solitary animal?
Do elephants have a dominant tusk?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Can elephant tusks grow back?
Do lions communicate well?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
How big do Serval get?
Do Buffalo have good memories?
Where can Honey Badgers be found in the Kruger National Park?
What is a Mountain Reedbuck?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Are there any conservation efforts in place to protect hippos in Kruger National Park?
Do Suni have any predators?
What does a Serval look like?
What does a Serval eat?
What do impalas eat?
Do they attack other predators?
Are Mountain Reedbucks endangered?
What do Blue wildebeest eat?
How fast can impalas run?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Do leopards returns to the prey left in a tree?
Do Honey Badgers have any predators?
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