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
Do lions eat carrion?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Can the female lion roar?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
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What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
How far can the roar of a lion be heard?
Are lions territorial?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
What are lions breeding habits?
Are young adults expelled from the pride?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Do the home ranges of lions overlap?
Do lions attack elephants?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
What is the purpose of roaring and when do lions roar?
Do all male lions possess a mane?
Were lions ever found on continents other than Africa?
Do lions kill their prey quickly?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
Do lions move around during the day?
How large is the average lion pride?
When do young lions become independent?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Can lions swim?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Do lions move around during the day?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
Is leopard cub mortality high?
What type of habitat do cheetahs prefer?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
Do Thick Tailed Bushbabies demarcate their territory?
Do Blue wildebeest migrate?
Are cheetahs dangerous to man?
What is the normal life span of a lion?
How big can hippos get?
Do porcupines have any predators?
What are the main physical features of the leopard?
Are cheetahs often robbed of their kill?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Where can Elands be found in Kruger National Park?
Are Mountain Reedbucks endangered?
Are impalas endangered?
How big do Klipspringers get?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
How can you tell the difference between male and female spotted hyenas?
How fast can impalas run?
What is the gestation period for spotted hyenas?
What is the breeding season for impalas?
How many Brown Hyenas are there in Kruger Park?
What kind of mammals can be found in Kruger National Park?
When do young lions become independent?
What is an impala?
How long do Blue wildebeest live?
Do lions have enemies?
What is a Klipspringer?
Can lions swim?
What does a Thick Tailed Bushbaby eat?
What do impalas eat?
Do elephants have good memories?
Are Serval endangered?
Why do some males have black manes?
How big do Serval get?
Can lions climb trees?
How many cheetah are there in the Kruger Park?
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