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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What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
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What are the normal causes of death in lions?
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What are the preferred prey species of lion?
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Is lion cub mortality high?
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Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
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More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Where can Serval be found in the Kruger Park?
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What do hippos eat?
When do hyaenas hunt?
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What is an Eland?
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What is a Klipspringer?
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Is there a dominance hierarchy amongst other members of a baboon troop?
Are Aardwolves social animals?
What type of habitat do cheetahs prefer?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
How big do Klipspringers get?
Where can Blue wildebeest be found in the Kruger National Park?
Are leopards very susceptible to disease?
What is a Brown Hyena?
What does a Serval look like?
What do Brown Hyenas eat?
What do cheetahs eat?
What do Honey Badgers eat?
What is a hippo?
Can visitors go on walking safaris to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do lions often become man eaters?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do Aardwolves have any predators?
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