What Animals Eat Lions? (Full Predator List)

Everyone knows that other animals in the wild will try to avoid lions for their own safety, since these meat-eating animals are fearless and powerful. Nevertheless, a few animals will try to attack lions.

A few predators are known to be brave enough to attack and eat lions. Here’s the list we prepared for you.

What animals eat lions?

These animals attack lions but remember no animal in nature hunts lions to eat them. The fights between lions and other wild animals happen mainly due to the nature of competition.

Fights over food and territory are essentially the main reasons for their conflicts and eating a member of the pride is merely a bonus.

1. Leopards

Leopards are much weaker than their Felieda cousins and they are aware of it. So as much as possible leopards avoid lions.

Moreover, leopards are solitary creatures, so they don’t stand a chance against a strong pride of lions.

Nevertheless, if food is scarce, leopards would attack and eat lion cubs if they have an opportunity.

2. Crocodiles

Crocodiles do not have territorial problems with lions and they respect each other’s strength. In short, they do not attack each other unless necessary. 

The fight between the two can occur over animal carcasses. There are times when the supply of food is limited which can result in fighting over the dead animal body.

When this happens, crocodiles attack lions by surprise. They grab the lion and go into deep water to drown the prey to death.

3. Hyenas

 Lions and hyenas are eternal enemies, they will try to steal each other’s food. 

Although these two predators are great hunters, they still find it easy to steal food. 

Normally, hyenas would never dare to attack an adult lion, they avoid lions as much as possible. But because of their territorial instinct, hyenas often express aggressive behavior towards lions if their territory is being crossed.

In addition, hyenas will seize the slightest opportunity to attack and eat lions that are vulnerable like old, sick, as well as cubs.

4. African wild dogs

Wild dogs are smart, they will avoid a fight unless they have a chance of winning. Hence, they stay away from strong male lions and would attack an isolated lioness or a cub.

5. Vultures

These scavengers don’t attack lions but they eat any dead organism, including lions. Lions’ carcass becomes a meal for a wide range of vultures and other scavengers.

How do lions protect themselves?

Lions’ intimidating size and strength scare other wild animals. For this reason no one dares to attack lions, especially if they are in a group

What are lions afraid of?

Lions do not have the same fear emotions like humans. They are not afraid of big animals, they are just cautious to avoid injuries.

They are fully aware of a potential danger and physical damage by other wild animals, so they are wary of a few large animals including Giraffes, Elephants, Hippos and Rhinos.

Nevertheless, lions are strong and fearless when in a group. In fact, they can down such large mammals when they fight in groups.

What kinds of food do lions eat?

Lions are carnivores. They eat meat including the meat of hares, lizards, antelopes, baby elephants, rhinoceros and even big wild animals.

Do lions eat everyday?

Lions are believed to feed every three or four days. These creatures need on average between 5kg and 7kg of meat per day. 

What do lions eat first?

The strongest of the pride will eat first, followed by other members of the group.  Cubs will get their turn after lionesses feed themselves.

Do lions eat grass?

Lions are actually omnivores so they can eat both meat and vegetables. They prefer meat but they  may eat grass if they have an upset stomach.