What do lions eat?

Lions are large predatory animals, characterized by incredible strength, agility and endurance. Many are interested in the question of what lions eat. Let's consider it in more detail.

Nutrition in the wild

Of course, the basis of their diet is meat. Most often, lions feed on buffalo, warthog, zebra and antelope wildebeest.

In the absence of a large prey, the lions do not disdaingazelles, small predators, domestic herbivores and other small animals. At a very difficult time for food suited dead from disease or old age animals or food, selected from other predators.

It happened that in hungry arid times, lionsattacked and on themselves similar animals - cheetahs, hyena dogs and panthers. Nature is so conceived that absolutely any meat suits lions to survive in the wild nature.

Lions in nature hunt a flock. Their actions are precise and well coordinated, but despite this, predators try not to attack large animals: rhinoceroses, elephants, giraffes and hippos. Lions understand that such hunting can result in serious injuries, and even losses.

To feed, an adult lion needs to eat about 7-9 kg of meat per day, while a lioness needs only 5 kg. And this is in view of the fact that it is the females that are the producers of food in the pride.

Feeding in captivity

In the zoo, the lion is given fresh meat, most oftenlean beef, and 2 times a week - "live food" (killing chicken or rabbits). For good digestion, a predator in captivity once a week add raw eggs, vegetable oil and grain sprouts or simple bran to the meat. Several times a month make a day off. As a rule, animals that grew up in captivity weigh considerably more wild lions.

Also you might be interested in the article How to draw a lion.