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 males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
Do lions communicate well?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Do lions eat carrion?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do lions scavenge?
Can lions swim?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
Can the female lion roar?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Are lions territorial?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Do lions attack elephants?
Is lion cub mortality high?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Do lions have enemies?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
What are lions breeding habits?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Do Thick Tailed Bushbabies demarcate their territory?
How many cheetah are there in the Kruger Park?
What is the general behaviour of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Are Mountain Reedbucks endangered?
Are Brown Hyenas dangerous?
Are there any conservation efforts in place to protect hippos in Kruger National Park?
What should I do if I encounter a dangerous mammal in Kruger National Park?
Where can Aardwolves be found in the Kruger Park?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do lions communicate well?
Are lions cannibalistic?
How far can cheetah run at top speed?
Can lions swim?
What do hippos eat?
Is lion cub mortality high?
How often do elephants give birth?
What is the size and weight of an Aardwolf?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Are spotted hyenas endangered?
Do Giraffes sleep?
Where can I find Klipspringers in Kruger National Park?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Do Brown Hyenas live in packs?
How long do Honey Badgers live?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Do baboons migrate?
What is the gestation period of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Are Serval endangered?
Can you hear spotted hyenas laughing?
What is a Suni?
What does a Serval eat?
What threats do Brown Hyenas face?
How do Elephants Communicate?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
What do Brown Hyenas eat?
What is an Aardwolf?
Are Aardwolves endangered?
What do Elands look like?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
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