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
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
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What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
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What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
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How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
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Is lion cub mortality high?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Can the female lion roar?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
How do lions kill their prey?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
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