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 are the normal causes of death in lions?
What are lions breeding habits?
Can the female lion roar?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
How do lions kill their prey?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Do lions attack elephants?
Why do some males have black manes?
Do lions have enemies?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions communicate well?
Are lions cannibalistic?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Are lions territorial?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
When do young lions become independent?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Can lions climb trees?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
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Why do some males have black manes?
What does the leopard diet consist of?
What do Mountain Reedbucks eat?
Is leopard cub mortality high?
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Do leopards mark their territories?
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Do lions often become man eaters?
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Are there any nocturnal mammals in Kruger National Park?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do they attack other predators?
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What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
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When is the best time for spotting lion?
What are the pangolin's scales made of?
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How many Brown Hyenas are there in Kruger Park?
Are Mountain Reedbucks endangered?
Are spotted hyenas dangerous to humans?
What are some of the interesting facts about the impala found in the Kruger Park?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
What is the lifespan of an impala?
What is the lifespan of a baboon?
How do lions kill their prey?
Can I see Brown Hyenas on a Kruger Park safari?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
May I feed the animals in Kruger Park?
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Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?