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
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
How large is the average lion pride?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Do lions scavenge?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions communicate well?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Is lion cub mortality high?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
When do young lions become independent?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Can lions climb trees?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Why do some males have black manes?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Do lions move around during the day?
How do lions kill their prey?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Can lions swim?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do lions often become man eaters?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Do lions attack elephants?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Are lions territorial?
Do lions eat carrion?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What do Aardwolves eat?
What is an Eland?
When do leopard cubs become independent?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Are Aardwolves social animals?
How do Elephants Communicate?
How do Thick Tailed Bushbabies communicate?
How is the prey of a cheetah caught and killed?
What do Vervet Monkeys eat?
Are hippos dangerous?
Do baboons have a specific breeding time?
Why do leopards hang their prey in trees?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do lions eat carrion?
Where can Blue wildebeest be found in the Kruger National Park?
How many Brown Hyenas are there in Kruger Park?
Are Blue wildebeest endangered?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Can you hear spotted hyenas laughing?
What are the predators of impalas in Kruger National Park?
What is a Brown Hyena?
What is the biggest animal killed by hyaenas?
Is it true that giraffes have blue tongues?
Can visitors go on walking safaris to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Where can Aardwolves be found in the Kruger Park?
Where can Serval be found in the Kruger Park?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby eat?
What type of habitat do spotted hyenas prefer?
What is a Honey Badger?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Do Brown Hyenas live in packs?
What is the general behaviour of a Vervet Monkey?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Do Hyaenas run in packs?
What is an Aardwolf?
Are spotted hyenas endangered?
How do spotted hyenas hunt?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?