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Lions are carnivores, or meat eaters and hunt other animals for food. Animals that kill other animals are called predators; the animals hunt are called pray. The lions are on the top predator on the African plain. Their pray are mostly animals that eat grass such as zebra, impala, giraffes, wildebeests and gazelles. Lions fallow the herds across the plain so when they want to hunt they will have food close by. Lions hunt smaller animals like warthogs when large animals are not available. Except for elephants, hippos and rhinos, which are large enough to defend themselves against lions, all animals are wary when a pride is near. Lions often kill sick or old animals because they are easier to catch then younger animal they can run faster and get away. Killing the weaker animals, lions help and keep the herds strong and healthy. Lions some times still killes from other animals such as hyenas and leopards or cheetahs. Lions also can find food by looking up in the sky and see vultures circling in the sky they know that a dead animal is there. Vultures are good at finding dead or dying animals. Females do most of the hunting and the males and cubs fallow at a distance. Lion cubs depend on the adults to share food with them until they can hunt for themselves. When cubs are two years old they are strong enough and can help the adults look and hunt for food. Males and females can hunt, but the males have a big mane and cant hid will in the grass and the pray usually sees him and makes it ascape. Also females are litter then males, and can run faster and more agile in a chase. Females do most of the hunting in a pride and often work to gather. One lioness chases the pray and forces the pray toward another lioness that is ready to make the kill. Lions that hunt together are successful at catching pray then a lion that hunts alone. Lions usually start to hunt at night. Almost every part of a lion helps it to be a good hunter. Lions have excellent vision and can spot moving objects even when they are far away. There eyes are larger the any other carnivore, and like other cats lions can see very good in the dark. Lions are more active at night and do most of their hunting between sunset and sunrise. When lions hunt during the day the color is similar to the dry grass and helps the lion to sneak up on its pray with out being seen. The soft pads on the bottom on the feet help a lion to walk quietly, and strong legs help it chase and catch pray. Lions cant run fast over long distances, but they can run at speeds up to 35 miles (5.6 kilometers) per hour in short spurts. When a lion reaches it pray it uses its powerful back legs and springs foreword and attack. Then uses its front paws to pull done its pray, the lion then grasps the head in its strong jaws. The lion either breaks the animals neck or bites into the throat and strangles it. Lions are expert hunters, but even so they are not always successful. Lack of cover may make it hard for the lion to hide while stalking its pray. If it hesitates or slips in its attack, the animal may escape. Only a quarter of a lions hunting attempts result in food to eat.
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