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
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do lions have enemies?
When do young lions become independent?
Do lions move around during the day?
Can lions climb trees?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
How do lions kill their prey?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Can lions swim?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Are lions territorial?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What are lions breeding habits?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Do lions eat carrion?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Do lions communicate well?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions scavenge?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Can the female lion roar?
Do lions attack elephants?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
How big can hippos get?
Where can I find hippos in Kruger National Park?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
What do Elands eat?
How do Elephants Communicate?
How far can cheetah run at top speed?
Is it true that giraffes have blue tongues?
What do Honey Badgers eat?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Why do African Elephants have wrinkles?
What threats do Brown Hyenas face?
Can porcupines shoot their quills?
Do Blue wildebeest migrate?
How much does an African Elephant weigh?
Do Hyaenas run in packs?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
What do Elands look like?
Is there a dominance hierarchy amongst other members of a baboon troop?
When is the best time to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
How fast are cheetahs?
Can you swim with hippos in Kruger National Park?
How large is the average lion pride?
How do leopards manage to get very heavy prey into a tree?
What does a Serval eat?
Where can Serval be found in the Kruger Park?
Can lions climb trees?
Do leopards roar?
What is an Eland?
Do Giraffes sleep?
Why do some males have black manes?
Are Warthogs fast?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
Where can Honey Badgers be found in the Kruger National Park?
What kind of sounds do cheetahs make?
What are the predators of impalas in Kruger National Park?
Are Suni endangered?
Do Buffalo have good memories?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?