What African Lions Eat

African Lions Hunt Mammals and Other Small Animals

Nov 10, 2008 Yolande Pienaar

Lions are opportunistic hunters and while they usually kill their own prey, feeding on carrion and stealing prey from other predators is common behavior.

Although Lions prefer medium to large herbivores, they also hunt smaller mammals, rodents and birds.

How do African Lions Select Prey

Lions do not select only the sick, old and very young animals - they are opportunistic hunters and hunt virtually any mammal available. When hunting in a pride, lions tend to bring down larger herbivores like Giraffes. A lion hunting alone will kill smaller herbivores and other animals. Prey are not checked for weakness before making the kill, although any sign of weakness in an adult animal might trigger a hunt when Lions search for food.

During the height of the birth cycle of an antelope species, Lions concentrate on killing the young calves of that species. Lions often kill male antelope ousted from the herd and animals on their own.

What Do African Lions Kill

Medium to large sized antelope form the staple diet of African Lions. These antelope include, but are not limited to: -

Buffalo
Zebra
Wildebeest
Gemsbok
Hartebeest
Kob
Impala
Smaller types of antelope like, Duiker, Steenbok, Reedbuck

Lions will also hunt Porcupine and smaller mammals like Warthogs,Hares and Rabbits. Many Lions die of subsequent hunger when a quill from a Porcupine penetrates their mouths, preventing them from hunting and feeding. Although the pride will provide for them for a short time, it seldom lasts long enough for the Lion to recover.

A Lioness might also kill and feed on her own young in times when food is scarce. Lions kill the young from other predators (Hyaena, Cheetah, Wild Dog and Leopard) when found. This is reciprocal and Lion cubs are at threat from other predators.

Lions seldom drink water and derive their water intake from the meat of their prey. Lions are strict carnivores, but they will also eat grass and leaves to neutralize the acid in their stomachs caused by the large amounts of meat digested.

When food is scarce, Lions will also hunt and attack humans. The Lions of Tsavo are infamous for their regular attacks on humans. Humans are, however, not their preferred food source.

Carrion regularly forms part of the Lion's diet. Lions are not above stealing the kill from other predators like Leopard, Cheetah and Hyaena.

How Do African Lions Feed

After a successful hunt, the Lions drag the prey under a tree to provide shade and protection from the prying eyes of vultures whose presence might attract other predators. Lions start feeding on the internal organs of the animal. They sometimes eat the intestines, but hardly ever the stomach. Lionesses will feed on the body cavity first while male Lions usually start at the hindquarters. The feeding then progresses to the ribs and forequarters leaving the neck and head for last.

Smaller animals are sometimes eaten hooves and all, leaving nothing behind for other scavengers. In larger animals, the Lions do not consume the hooves, head and part of the spinal column.

How Much Food Do Lions Need

Lions need an average of 5 to 7 kilograms of meat per day. They can consume up to 25% of their body mass in a single feed and can eat up to 36 kilograms of meat at one time according to Encarta Online Encyclopedia. After a large meal, lions do not need to hunt for 3 to 4 days, depending on the size of the kill.

African Lions are truly the ultimate predator of the African plains.

The copyright of the article What African Lions Eat in Mammals is owned by Yolande Pienaar. Permission to republish What African Lions Eat in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Lions Often Hunt Warthogs	Impala Forms Staple Diet of Lions in Kruger Park	Lions Hunt Large Prey Like Buffalo
Groups of Lions Hunt Adult Giraffes	A Lioness Rests in the Shade