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 male lions more aggressive than females?
Do lions have a social hierarchy?
Can the female lion roar?
What is the distribution of lions in the Kruger Park?
Will a lioness allow cubs other than her own to suckle?
Do lions have enemies?
Is there a way that one lion or lioness could avoid aggression from another?
Do lions communicate well?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
What are the preferred prey species of lion?
Can lions swim?
At what age are lions sexually mature?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Why do some males have black manes?
Do lions attack elephants?
Do lions eat carrion?
Why to male lions kill cubs that are not their own?
Is it true that lions usually mate over a two to three day period?
Do males often fight over females or in territorial disputes?
What is the size of the average lion litter?
Are the senses of a lion well developed?
When is the best time for spotting lion?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
How much meat can a lion consume during one meal?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
Does a pride of lions accept a stranger?
How often do female lions produce cubs?
How long do African Lions sleep on average?
Do lions move around during the day?
Could vultures lead lions to a dead animal?
How large is the average lion pride?
What speed can a lion reach when charging?
Are lions territorial?
How do lions kill their prey?
Can lions climb trees?
Do lions often become man eaters?
Do lions hide during rainy weather?
Is lion cub mortality high?
When do young lions become independent?
More frequently asked questions on: Mammals
Are porcupines dangerous to humans?
Can lions swim?
What do Lesser Bushbabies eat?
How many Brown Hyenas are there in Kruger Park?
Are Aardwolves endangered?
Does the male or the female lion initiate copulation?
Is lion cub mortality high?
What is the scientific name for the spotted hyena?
What are the biggest animals attacked by lion?
Are honey badgers dangerous?
Are Blue wildebeest endangered?
What are the main physical features of the cheetah?
Are lions cannibalistic?
Do lions move around during the day?
Do lions often become man eaters?
How big do Serval get?
What is the gestation period of a Thick Tailed Bushbaby?
What do Klipspringers eat?
How big are porcupines?
Do female lions secure food for their cubs?
How many muscles does an elephant trunk have?
Do elephants have a dominant tusk?
What do Blue wildebeest eat?
Where can I find Klipspringers in Kruger National Park?
What are the predators of impalas in Kruger National Park?
What do cheetahs eat?
How big do Klipspringers get?
What do Aardwolves eat?
Are Suni social animals?
What do Mountain Reedbucks eat?
Is the cheetah a true cat?
How big can hippos get?
Do Thick Tailed Bushbabies demarcate their territory?
Are lions sometimes injured by their prey?
Are cheetahs often robbed of their kill?
What do Elands eat?
Do the female lions do most of the hunting?
What kind of mammals can be found in Kruger National Park?
How do leopards manage to get very heavy prey into a tree?
What are the major physical features of the Vervet Monkey?
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