Lions eat once every three to four days, depending on how successful their hunts are. Their hunt’s success depends on the number of lions in the pride, as well as how full they are from their last meal. Lions can last up to two weeks to a month without eating.
How do lions hunt?
Lions stalk their prey using stealth. Once close enough, they charge aggressively, using their large bodies and sharp claws. They can take down large prey alone but doing so reduces their chances of a successful hunt.
In groups, lions work together to hunt. One chases the prey while another lies in wait, ready to pounce. The rest then surround and bring down the prey, letting everyone feed.
Who feeds first?
Although females do most of the hunting, the males of the pride usually get first pick once the kill is down. They are the largest and strongest cats in the group, and because their job is to defend the pride from rivals and other predators, they need to stay well-fed. The lionesses tend to feed on what the males leave behind, but a hungry female will sometimes push in and snatch a share for herself.
How much can the average lion eat?
In a typical meal, a lion will put away around 5 to 7 kilograms of meat. After a long stretch without food, though, one cat can pack in as much as 50 kilograms in a single sitting. That kind of binge feeding builds up an energy reserve, which is how lions can sometimes stretch a week or more between successful kills.
