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 often do female lions produce cubs?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do lions have enemies?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
Can lions climb trees?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
Can the female lion roar?
How do lions kill their prey?
Are male lions more aggressive than females?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Can lions swim?
Do lions move around during the day?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
How large is the average lion pride?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Do lions attack elephants?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do lions often become man eaters?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Do lions communicate well?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Which habitat to lions prefer?
Do lions scavenge?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Are lions cannibalistic?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park?
When is the best time to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What is the size of the spotted hyaenas territory?
Where can you find spotted hyenas in Kruger National Park?
When do hyaenas hunt?
How many Brown Hyenas are there in Kruger Park?
Are Suni social animals?
What type of habitat do spotted hyenas prefer?
What is the gestation period for spotted hyenas?
Are Suni endangered?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
How long do Suni live?
Do Suni have any predators?
Do lions attack elephants?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
Do leopards roar?
Is it true that giraffes have blue tongues?
Are Vervet Monkeys intelligent?
What kind of sounds do cheetahs make?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
What do Suni eat?
How do elephants use their tusks?
Why are leopards so seldom seen?
Are lions territorial?
May I feed the animals in Kruger Park?
What is the gestation period of the Lesser Bushbaby?
What do spotted hyenas eat?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
Do elephants have a dominant tusk?
How is the prey of a cheetah caught and killed?
What do hippos eat?
Where can I find hippos in Kruger National Park?
Are spotted hyenas dangerous to humans?
Do baboons have a specific leader and how is dominance established?
How do lions kill their prey?
Where can Suni be found in the Kruger National Park?
How many baboons are there in the Kruger Park?
What is the general behaviour of a Thick Tailed Bushbaby?
What are the leopards breeding habits?
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