Lions and tigers are often regarded as the kings of the animal kingdom; however, in the wild, there are several animal species that can take the life of a lion.
Animals Known to Kill a Lion in Certain Situations
Lions may be considered the rulers of the animal kingdom in Africa, but that does not mean that these predators are invincible. Lions hunt various prey with all their strength and cunning. In some cases, their prey will do everything possible to escape or even kill a lion.
The African habitat that these big cats call home is home to many dangerous creatures, and many of them are ready to take down a lion, whether for self-defense or territorial protection.
1. Giraffe
A giraffe can kick with a force equivalent to its body weight, making it capable of easily taking down a lion.
Like most apex predators, lions tend to target the weakest and most vulnerable prey, a form of natural selection that keeps evolutionary trends moving forward. However, reality does not always align with theory; sometimes lions choose giraffes as targets, despite the significant weight and height difference between the two species.
Adult male giraffes typically weigh over 900 kg and can reach heights of over 5 meters. This makes them significantly larger compared to an average lion weighing around 200 kg. When attacked, a giraffe can kick with a force equivalent to its body weight, which can easily take down a lion. In fact, there have been recorded instances of giraffes killing lions while being hunted.
2. Crocodile
Large crocodiles can drag adult lions into the water when the opportunity arises.
In addition to hunting prey on the savannah, lions also steal eggs from crocodile nests when they get the chance. However, adult crocodiles pose a real danger to lions. While crocodiles cannot run as fast as lions on land, large individuals can pull adult lions into the water when the opportunity arises—and sometimes lions become prey to crocodiles when they are trapped underwater for too long. An average crocodile has a biting force of 1,700 kg per square inch—vastly different from the lion’s biting force of 650 PSI.
3. Rhinoceros
A large rhinoceros can impale the belly of an adult lion.
Lions are known to selectively prey on black rhinoceroses, typically targeting the older individuals. However, sometimes younger lions take the risky decision to hunt adult rhinoceroses, which is a completely wrong choice.
A rhinoceros can weigh over 2 tons and can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Its horn is capable of impaling the belly of an adult lion. Most lions recognize that facing an adult rhinoceros is not worth the risk, but researchers warn that when the dry season comes and food becomes scarce, some lion prides will target rhinoceroses, or inexperienced young male lions may seek to take the risk and meet an untimely death.
4. African Buffalo
Many scientists believe that the animosity between buffalo and lions is deeply ingrained in their genes.
The African buffalo is not the largest prey that lions hunt. Lions take advantage of the herd to attack from behind and avoid the buffalo’s sharp horns. Lionesses will surprise an individual buffalo or take down the weakest and slowest one when the herd flees—but these herd tactics can also lead to the lions’ deaths.
Many buffalo herds practice movement tactics, exploiting their sheer numbers to chase or even kill lions that dare to attack them. Buffalo are also an active threat, as these massive hoofed animals are known to actively seek out lion cubs to trample before they can grow and pose a threat to the herd. Many scientists believe that the animosity between buffalo and lions is deeply ingrained in their genes, with numerous reports documenting buffalo herds attacking and killing lions.
5. African Bush Elephant
The tusks, trunk, and massive body of elephants pose a significant threat to entire lion prides.
The African bush elephant is the largest land mammal still existing on our planet. It is no surprise that these animals can kill a lion. This is why lions primarily target young elephants—and this is also why these creatures have developed protective behaviors to keep their young safe.
An adult male elephant can weigh up to 6.5 tons, and when threatened, the entire herd will surround their young to shield them from lions. The tusks, trunk, and massive body of elephants pose a significant threat to entire lion prides.
Lions can easily die when facing an adult elephant, and if they manage to escape after an elephant attack, they may quickly succumb to severe injuries. Researchers have found that older elephants have developed more sophisticated defensive methods against lions and pass that knowledge on to other herd members to proactively protect their young from threats.
