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
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
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What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Can lions swim?
Is lion cub mortality high?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
When do young lions become independent?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
How large is the average lion pride?
Do lions eat carrion?
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Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Are lions territorial?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
What are lions breeding habits?
Do lions often become man eaters?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Do lions move around during the day?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
How do lions kill their prey?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Do lions scavenge?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
How many cheetah are there in the Kruger Park?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby look like?
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What is the size of the average lion litter?
What is the lifespan of a Serval?
What is the gestation period for spotted hyenas?
What should I do if I encounter a dangerous mammal in Kruger National Park?
Do Suni have any predators?
What is a Klipspringer?
Do they attack other predators?
What is the preferred habitat of the leopard?
Are Porcupines rodents?
What are lions breeding habits?
Where can Honey Badgers be found in the Kruger National Park?
Do other predators prey upon leopard?
It is said that baboons could kill a leopard. Is this true?
How fast are cheetahs?
Are Mountain Reedbucks endangered?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
How do leopards manage to get very heavy prey into a tree?
Can visitors interact with the mammals in Kruger National Park?
What do spotted hyenas eat?
What is the general behaviour of a Vervet Monkey?
Are Thick Tailed Bushbabies territorial and to they actively defend their territory?
What do Klipspringers eat?
What are the main physical features of the leopard?
Are spotted hyenas dangerous to humans?
How do lions kill their prey?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
When is the best time to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
What do Elands eat?
Are cheetahs territorial?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Where can I find hippos in Kruger National Park?
Where can Serval be found in the Kruger Park?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?