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
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Can lions climb trees?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Can the female lion roar?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Do lions communicate well?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Do lions move around during the day?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Do lions eat carrion?
What are lions breeding habits?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Do lions have enemies?
Are lions cannibalistic?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
Can lions swim?
Do lions scavenge?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
How do lions kill their prey?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Are lions territorial?
Why do some males have black manes?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Do all male lions possess a mane?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
What do Brown Hyenas eat?
How fast can impalas run?
Are Suni social animals?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby eat?
Are cheetahs often robbed of their kill?
What kind of sounds do cheetahs make?
Do Honey Badgers have any predators?
How many baboons are there in the Kruger Park?
Can visitors go on walking safaris to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
What do Aardwolves eat?
Do male baboons often kill each other in fights?
Can lions climb trees?
Can Aardwolves be kept as pets?
Do leopards returns to the prey left in a tree?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do lions move around during the day?
How do leopards manage to get very heavy prey into a tree?
Is there a specific breeding season, and how long is the gestation period of a cheetah?
Can elephant tusks grow back?
Can the leopard be a danger to humans?
What are the major physical features of the Vervet Monkey?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Why do leopards hang their prey in trees?
What is a Honey Badger?
Where can Blue wildebeest be found in the Kruger National Park?
How much does a leopard eat per day?
Do Hyaenas have the strongest jaws?
Do they attack other predators?
Can the female lion roar?
What does the leopard diet consist of?
How fast can Elands run?
Do Giraffes sleep?
Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park?
Are cheetahs solitary animals?
When do hyaenas hunt?
Do Blue wildebeest migrate?
What is the general behaviour of the Lesser Bushbaby?
Can porcupines shoot their quills?
Do you want to test your knowledge on the animals of the Kruger National Park?