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 the home ranges of lions overlap?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do lions have enemies?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Do lions communicate well?
Do lions move around during the day?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Do lions eat carrion?
Why do some males have black manes?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Do lions scavenge?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
What are lions breeding habits?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
How do lions kill their prey?
Do lions attack elephants?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Are impalas endangered?
Do lions communicate well?
Do Brown Hyenas live in packs?
Why do leopards hang their prey in trees?
Do Thick Tailed Bushbabies demarcate their territory?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
What are the main physical features of the cheetah?
What is the best time of day to see Elands in Kruger National Park?
What is the biggest animal killed by hyaenas?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
What does the leopard diet consist of?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Are there any predators that hunt Klipspringers in Kruger National Park?
Do Honey Badgers have any predators?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
What is the preferred habitat of the leopard?
Are Aardwolves social animals?
Where can I find Brown Hyenas in Kruger Park?
What do Elands eat?
Why are leopards so seldom seen?
Are Blue wildebeest endangered?
Can cheetahs climb trees?
Are leopards territorial?
What is the gestation period and life span of a Vervet Monkey?
What are the pangolin's scales made of?
May I feed the animals in Kruger Park?
Can visitors go on walking safaris to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do Giraffes sleep?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Do Hyaenas run in packs?
Do leopards mark their territories?
Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park?
What are the main physical features of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
How long do Suni live?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
What are lions breeding habits?
How often do elephants give birth?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
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