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 have a social hierarchy?
Do lions scavenge?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do lions communicate well?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Why do some males have black manes?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What are lions breeding habits?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
When do young lions become independent?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Do lions have enemies?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Can lions swim?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
How do lions kill their prey?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do lions eat carrion?
Are lions cannibalistic?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Can the female lion roar?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
May I feed the animals in Kruger Park?
What is the biggest animal killed by hyaenas?
What do Mountain Reedbucks look like?
Are Thick Tailed Bushbabies territorial and to they actively defend their territory?
Are impalas endangered?
How long do Honey Badgers live?
Why do African Elephants have wrinkles?
Do lions attack elephants?
What is a Blue wildebeest?
How fast can cheetahs run?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby look like?
What are the predators of impalas in Kruger National Park?
What does the leopard diet consist of?
Where can I find impalas in Kruger National Park?
How do lions kill their prey?
What kind of sounds do cheetahs make?
Do leopards mark their territories?
How do Vervet Monkeys communicate and are they aggressive?
Do Giraffes sleep?
What should I do if I encounter a dangerous mammal in Kruger National Park?
What do cheetahs eat?
Can you hear spotted hyenas laughing?
How do spotted hyenas hunt?
What are the pangolin's scales made of?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Where can Honey Badgers be found in the Kruger National Park?
Do baboons have a specific breeding time?
Do elephants have good memories?
Are Aardwolves endangered?
Do lions eat carrion?
How many baboons are there in the Kruger Park?
What is the gestation period and life span of a Vervet Monkey?
Are there any endangered mammal species in Kruger National Park?
Where can I find Brown Hyenas in Kruger Park?
Is the cheetah a true cat?
Are spotted hyenas dangerous to humans?
Do Buffalo have good memories?
Can the leopard be a danger to humans?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?