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 preferred prey species of lion?
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Do lions eat carrion?
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Are young adults expelled from the pride?
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Do all male lions possess a mane?
Can lions swim?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Are lions cannibalistic?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
Do lions communicate well?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Can the female lion roar?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do lions attack elephants?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
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Do lions have a social hierarchy?
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How do spotted hyenas hunt?
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Do other predators prey upon leopard?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
What is the best time of day to see Elands in Kruger National Park?
How many muscles does an elephant trunk have?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
How do elephants use their tusks?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Are leopards territorial?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
How do Elephants Communicate?
Why do African Elephants have wrinkles?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
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