Hunting and Feeding: Lion (Panthera leo)

Lions are extremely good hunters, equipped with creamy tan to brown coats that blend perfectly with the sub-Saharan habitat, they are excellent at both ambush and cooperative pack hunting (Stander, 1991). Lions inhabit parkland and open savannah in sub-Saharan Africa – some Asiatic sub-species inhabit northwest India – and can grow from 1.7-2.2m long, are cream tan to brown and have distinct tail tufts, with males typically having a thick mane the may be dark in colour (Scheel & Packer, 1991).

Lions form close social groupings, known as a pride, that are comprised of a number of related adult females and their young (Uhlenbroek, 2008). Males tend to live alone or in small groups called coalitions, however, when they take over a pride the males – one of which will be dominant – are responsible for marking territory borders, which can range from a few tens to a few hundred square kilometres, defending against threats and mating with the females (Mosser & Packer, 2009).

In addition to their capacious size and formidable teeth, lions have supplementary attributes that add to their efficiency as predators; exceptional binocular vision enables them to judge distance very accurately, and eyes that are capable of working at low light levels allow night hunting (Stander, 1991). They use their lethal, retractable claws to grasp and ground prey, before they kill it with a neck-breaking bite or asphyxiation (Uhlenbroek, 2008).

Due to the social nature of lion prides, cooperative hunting is prevalent and is an extremely beneficial way to bring down larger prey items (Stander, 1991). Lionesses are lighter and faster than males and so do majority of the hunting (Uhlenbroek, 2008). Although males may be large and strong enough to attack buffaloes, a lone lion is seldom able to take on much larger species such as elephants and giraffes and as such they engage in cooperative hunting which makes kills easier, with less risk or injury and can provide enough food for the entire pride (Hayward & Kerley, 2006). With adult males gorging themselves every three or four days, tending to eat 43kg of fresh meat in one sitting, it is almost critical that larger prey items be used in order to keep up with this demand (Hayward & Kerley, 2006).

The anatomy of a lion’s skull is adapted for the killing and consumption of sizeable animals like zebras, wildebeests, elands and kudus (Uhlenbroek, 2008). Their long, dagger-like canines and large jaw muscles guarantee a strong grip and successful killing bite (Uhlenbroek, 2008). Combined with the intimidating canines, the pointed, sharp-edges premolars and molars – known as carnassial teeth – work together like the blades of shears to slice through flesh with ease (Scheel & Packer, 1991). The lower jaw only moves up and down, so lions tend to swallow chunks of flesh and do not chew, this also allows them to open their mouths to a gaping 25cm (Uhlenbroek, 2008).

Hunting techniques vary in most prides; commonly one lioness will spook and chase prey at speeds of up to 70kph, towards other members of the pride who are lying in wait (Stander, 1991). Alternatively, the pride will surround a herd and try to pick of a lone, young or sick individual (Uhlenbroek, 2008). These cooperative hunting techniques are beneficial in ensuring that once a kill has been made, other competing pack animals such as hyenas, do not come and try and steal the kill (Stander, 1991). These techniques and the cooperation between individuals requires a great deal of forward thinking and communication in order to be effective and gives an indication of the level of intelligence that lions possess (Scheel & Packer, 1991).

Reference:

Uhlenbroek, C. (2008). Animal Life. United Kingdom: Penguin Group.

Hayward, M. W. & Kerley, G. I. H. (2006). Prey preferences of the lion (Panthera leo). Journal of Zoology, 267(3), 309-322.

Mosser, A. & Packer, C. (2009). Group territoriality and the benefits of sociality in the African lion (Panthera leo). Animal Behaviour, 78(2), 359-370.

Scheel, D. & Packer, C. (1991). Group hunting behaviour in lions: a search for cooperation. Animal Behaviour, 41(4), 697-709.

Stander, P. E. (1991). Cooperative hunting in lions: the role of the individual. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, 29(1), 445-454.