One of the most striking battles in all of nature is the one between the lion and the buffalo. The latter is the most formidable regular lion prey, and there is a natural enmity between the two that exceeds that between other African lion prey. First of all, the Cape buffalo is large, powerful and mean; there is a video of an encounter between the 1700 lb. bovine and a rhinoceros on an African reserve. The buffalo had initiated the battle by challenging the rhino, despite the humongous mass difference. Unfortunately for the buffalo, it paid the price with his life - a rhino is simply too powerful for even two buffalo to mount a successful challenge.
The Lion's Arch-Nemesis - Buffalo
The African Cape buffalo is especially mean when it has been wounded, and goes into an almost berserker rage if the injury isn't immediately deadly. In fact, Cape buffalo have probably killed more hunters than any other African animal! Also known as Black Death by natives and ex-patriots alike, buffalo use their horns mercilessly on an opponent, and can far outstrip the fastest human in a foot race. Lions take down this formidable prey by using a multi-faceted attack of lionesses working in concert. Usually, the swifter females isolate a member of the buffalo group and give chase, with the intention of further separating it from its troupe. Then, the younger, more powerful lionesses rush the doomed lion prey and jump on its back and neck region, in a dual attempt to add to its burden and secure a strangle-hold on its throat. The rest of the lionesses join the fray in order to add even more weight and finally bring the animal to the ground. Once this happens, the buffalo spiritedly delays the inevitable.
Male Lions Mode of Attack
During the first few years after they've left the pride in which they grew up, male lions form an often formidable coalition of hunting partners - usually with some of their brothers from the pride of their birth. During this period of perhaps three years, they roam the African plains and hunt for themselves, while searching for a leader to depose and gain their own pride. The myth that only lionesses hunt is easily dispelled once this is realized.
When male lions hunt a cape buffalo, the method of attack is completely different than a female. Despite giving up over a thousand pounds in weight, the 500 lb. male often goes it alone, and the difference in power (between the female and the male lion) is evident. The lion is often able to bring down a Cape buffalo by itself, or with the help of a single compatriot! After stalking an isolated buffalo to within tens-of-yards, the lion explodes out of the underbrush with an impressive, 50 mph burst of speed. Catching the buffalo by the back or, executing an agile move to grab the throat and deadly head region, he brings the lion prey down. This is when the situation is most precarious for the male lion; if the 1700 lb. animal manages to slip the hold or catch him with a horn coming in, the lion may not be able to recover from that initial blow and will have to abandon the hunt - assuming he's not killed outright and then trampled underfoot.
In sum, the Cape buffalo is a formidable beast upon which to prey; but the lions and lionesses of the African plains count it as a staple food in their diet.
Carine is a full-time med student with a passion for saving African animals; especially the African lion. She is amazed at the wide range of African lion prey and the fact that the cape buffalo lion prey appears to be the most dangerous. Lions have more success with almost every other staple of their diet than these large and powerful grazers.
One of the most striking battles in all of nature is the one between the lion and the buffalo. The latter is the most formidable regular lion prey, and there is a natural enmity between the two that exceeds that between other African lion prey. First of all, the Cape buffalo is large, powerful and mean; there is a video of an encounter between the 1700 lb. bovine and a rhinoceros on an African reserve. The buffalo had initiated the battle by challenging the rhino, despite the humongous mass difference. Unfortunately for the buffalo, it paid the price with his life - a rhino is simply too powerful for even two buffalo to mount a successful challenge.
The Lion's Arch-Nemesis - Buffalo
The African Cape buffalo is especially mean when it has been wounded, and goes into an almost berserker rage if the injury isn't immediately deadly. In fact, Cape buffalo have probably killed more hunters than any other African animal! Also known as Black Death by natives and ex-patriots alike, buffalo use their horns mercilessly on an opponent, and can far outstrip the fastest human in a foot race. Lions take down this formidable prey by using a multi-faceted attack of lionesses working in concert. Usually, the swifter females isolate a member of the buffalo group and give chase, with the intention of further separating it from its troupe. Then, the younger, more powerful lionesses rush the doomed lion prey and jump on its back and neck region, in a dual attempt to add to its burden and secure a strangle-hold on its throat. The rest of the lionesses join the fray in order to add even more weight and finally bring the animal to the ground. Once this happens, the buffalo spiritedly delays the inevitable.
Male Lions Mode of Attack
During the first few years after they've left the pride in which they grew up, male lions form an often formidable coalition of hunting partners - usually with some of their brothers from the pride of their birth. During this period of perhaps three years, they roam the African plains and hunt for themselves, while searching for a leader to depose and gain their own pride. The myth that only lionesses hunt is easily dispelled once this is realized.
When male lions hunt a cape buffalo, the method of attack is completely different than a female. Despite giving up over a thousand pounds in weight, the 500 lb. male often goes it alone, and the difference in power (between the female and the male lion) is evident. The lion is often able to bring down a Cape buffalo by itself, or with the help of a single compatriot! After stalking an isolated buffalo to within tens-of-yards, the lion explodes out of the underbrush with an impressive, 50 mph burst of speed. Catching the buffalo by the back or, executing an agile move to grab the throat and deadly head region, he brings the lion prey down. This is when the situation is most precarious for the male lion; if the 1700 lb. animal manages to slip the hold or catch him with a horn coming in, the lion may not be able to recover from that initial blow and will have to abandon the hunt - assuming he's not killed outright and then trampled underfoot.
In sum, the Cape buffalo is a formidable beast upon which to prey; but the lions and lionesses of the African plains count it as a staple food in their diet.
Carine is a full-time med student with a passion for saving African animals; especially the African lion. She is amazed at the wide range of African lion prey and the fact that the cape buffalo lion prey appears to be the most dangerous. Lions have more success with almost every other staple of their diet than these large and powerful grazers.
