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?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Why do some males have black manes?
Do lions move around during the day?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Do lions communicate well?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
How do lions kill their prey?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
What are lions breeding habits?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Can lions climb trees?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Can the female lion roar?
Are lions territorial?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do lions scavenge?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Do lions often become man eaters?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Are Elands dangerous?
When do leopard cubs become independent?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do they attack other predators?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
What do Klipspringers eat?
Are there any predators that hunt Klipspringers in Kruger National Park?
When do hyaenas hunt?
When is the best time to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Do elephants have a dominant tusk?
What is a Suni?
Do lions move around during the day?
How fast can Elands run?
How do spotted hyenas hunt?
To what diseases are baboons susceptible?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do Buffalo have good memories?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
What is the most dangerous animal in Africa?
What are the predators of impalas in Kruger National Park?
Where can you find spotted hyenas in Kruger National Park?
What are the major physical features of the Vervet Monkey?
Is leopard cub mortality high?
Where can Serval be found in the Kruger Park?
What type of habitat do spotted hyenas prefer?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
How long do Honey Badgers live?
Are Blue wildebeest endangered?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
What is a Honey Badger?
How do Thick Tailed Bushbabies communicate?
Do male baboons often kill each other in fights?
What is the size and weight of an Aardwolf?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Are Aardwolves social animals?
What is the life span of a lesser bushbaby?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?