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 enemies?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Do lions communicate well?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Can lions swim?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Do lions attack elephants?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Do lions move around during the day?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Do lions eat carrion?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Can the female lion roar?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Are lions territorial?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Which habitat to lions prefer?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
What are some of the interesting facts about the impala found in the Kruger Park?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What are the leopards breeding habits?
What is the gestation period of a Thick Tailed Bushbaby?
What is the gestation period for spotted hyenas?
Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park?
Do lions attack elephants?
Are impalas endangered?
Do leopards mark their territories?
Do lions communicate well?
Why do some males have black manes?
Is leopard cub mortality high?
Are Porcupines rodents?
How do spotted hyenas hunt?
How long do Blue wildebeest live?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Do baboons have a specific breeding time?
Do lions scavenge?
Can I see Brown Hyenas on a Kruger Park safari?
What do cheetahs eat?
Where can you find spotted hyenas in Kruger National Park?
Why do leopards hang their prey in trees?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Are Vervet Monkeys intelligent?
What do Mountain Reedbucks eat?
Do Hyaenas have the strongest jaws?
How do Elephants Communicate?
How do Thick Tailed Bushbabies communicate?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby look like?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
May I feed the animals in Kruger Park?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
How many cheetah are there in the Kruger Park?
Can elephant tusks grow back?
Are leopards very susceptible to disease?
What do Elands look like?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?