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Cited by 449Wildlife Ecology and ConservationAnimal Ecology and Behavior StudiesRangeland and Wildlife Management

Prey preferences of the lion (Panthera leo)

Hayward, Matt W., Kerley, Graham I. H.·2005·Journal of Zoology
DOI 10.1017/s0952836905007508
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Abstract

Abstract LionsPanthera leoare generally thought to prey on medium to large ungulates. Knowledge of which species are actually preferred and which are avoided is lacking, however, as is an understanding of why such preference or avoidance may arise. An analysis of 32 studies over 48 different spatial locations or temporal periods throughout the distribution of the lion shows that it preferentially preys upon species within a weight range of 190–550 kg. The most preferred weight of lion prey is 350 kg. The mean mass of significantly preferred prey species is 290 kg and of all preferred species is 201 kg. Gemsbok, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra are significantly preferred. Species outside the preferred weight range are generally avoided. Species within the preferred weight range that are not significantly preferred (such as roan, sable and eland) generally have features that reduce predation either morphologically (e.g. sable horns), ecologically (e.g. roan and sable occurring at low density), or behaviourally (e.g. the large herd size and increased vigilance of eland). Warthog are below the preferred weight range yet are taken in accordance with their availability and this is probably due to their sympatry with lion, their relatively slow evasion speed and their lower level of vigilance. Plots of prey preference against prey body mass follows a bell curve with a right skew that, we argue, is caused by collective hunting by lions of larger‐bodied prey. Our methods can be used on all large predators and are likely to be useful in assessing competition in sympatric communities of predators, cooperative hunting and predicting predator diets. This will allow us to move beyond descriptive dietary studies to improve our predictive understanding of the mechanisms underlying predator–prey interactions.

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  • Buffalo are a preferred prey species in several savanna ecosystems.

    “Whereas buffalo are a preferred prey species in several savanna ecosystems [21,57,58], they constituted less than 5% of kills found during our study, and less than 1% of male kills (Table 5), despite male lions specifically targeting buffalo elsewhere [52].”

    From Effects of Vegetation Structure on the Location of Lion Kill Sites in African Thicket (2016) · cites this paper as [57]

  • Kudu and ostrich are usually killed in proportion to their abundance (kudu) or actively avoided (ostrich).

    “Instead of typical target species such as buffalo and zebra [57], half the kills made in Addo consisted of kudu and ostrich, species which are usually killed in proportion to their abundance (kudu) or actively avoided (ostrich) [57].”

    From Effects of Vegetation Structure on the Location of Lion Kill Sites in African Thicket (2016) · cites this paper as [57]

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Authors
Hayward, M. W., & Kerley, G. I. H.
Affiliations
Nelson Mandela University (ZA)
Corresponding author
Hayward, Matt W.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Zoology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2005-11
Volume
267
Issue
3
Pages
309-322
ISSN
  • 0952-8369 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7998
DOI
10.1017/s0952836905007508
OpenAlex
W2152283858
Cited by
449
References
102
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 22
FWCI
9.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 119 d)
Locations
  • Journal of Zoology (publishedVersion)
  • Nelson Mandela University Research Repository (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Rangeland and Wildlife Management
Keywords
lion, prey selection, prey avoidance, ungulate prey, collective hunting, predator-prey interactions, predator diet, sympatric predators, warthog, gemsbok, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, Roan, sable, eland, sustained attention, herd size

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