What do lions eat, and how do they catch their prey?
Lions eat large prey, such as gazelles, antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, and buffalo. They have been known to take down prey as large as a young giraffe. When food becomes scarce, lions will hunt smaller prey or sometimes eat the kills of other animals. Most prey animals can run much faster than the average lion. Therefore, lions hunt in fairly well organized groups and stalk, or sneak up on, their prey. They may try to surround them first, then make a swift, sudden charge from the tall grass. The grass where lions live is not short and green but grows very tall and is a light brownish color most of the time. The lions’ fur is the same color as this grass, making it difficult for other animals to see them. Coloring that helps to hide an animal or thing is called “camouflage”. Females do most of the hunting and work in groups although, if she has to, a single lioness is able to hunt on her own. Male lions are actually more capable hunters than females but they usually focus more on prote
