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
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
Do lions eat carrion?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Do lions communicate well?
Do lions attack elephants?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Do lions move around during the day?
Do lions have enemies?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
What causes a lion to become a man eater?
Do lions scavenge?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
How large is the average lion pride?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Is lion cub mortality high?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
When do young lions become independent?
What are lions breeding habits?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Can lions swim?
What are the normal causes of death in lions?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Can lions climb trees?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Why do some males have black manes?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Where can Serval be found in the Kruger Park?
Can Serval be kept as pets?
Are honey badgers dangerous?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
How fast are cheetahs?
What is the gestation period for spotted hyenas?
What do spotted hyenas eat?
Do Blue wildebeest migrate?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do lions have enemies?
What do porcupines eat?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Do lions use specific strategy when they hunt?
Can lions climb trees?
Where can Honey Badgers be found in the Kruger National Park?
Do baboons have a specific breeding time?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
What is an Eland?
What are the predators of impalas in Kruger National Park?
What kind of mammals can be found in Kruger National Park?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Do Hyaenas have the strongest jaws?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
Why are leopards so seldom seen?
Are there black leopards in the Kruger Park?
Are there any endangered mammal species in Kruger National Park?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Do elephants have a dominant tusk?
What are the pangolin's scales made of?
Are Blue wildebeest endangered?
What is a Suni?
How fast can cheetahs run?
Do lions move around during the day?
Do other predators prey upon leopard?
What is the potential life span of a leopard?
What do impalas eat?
Where can you find spotted hyenas in Kruger National Park?
What do Suni eat?
What are the main physical features of the Lesser Bushbaby?
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