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
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Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
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More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
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What do impalas eat?
Are spotted hyenas endangered?
What is the breeding season for impalas?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
When do young lions become independent?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do Buffalo have good memories?
How is the prey of a cheetah caught and killed?
It is said that baboons could kill a leopard. Is this true?
Can the leopard be a danger to humans?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
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Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?