Lions+(Competition+with+other+Predators)


 * Lions (Competition with other Predators)**

The lion's biggest competitor is the spotted hyena. These two animals have the same job in their ecosystem, causing them to compete for food. Studies show that the lion and spotted hyena have a dietary overlap of 58.6%. When these two animals encounter, typically the lion will ignore the spotted hyena, unless they are on a kill or the hyena is harassing them. On the other hand, when hyenas see lions, they will react, whether there is food or not. Sometimes, these animals will steal food from each other, increasing the other's kill rate.

Lions also like to attack smaller felines like cheetahs or leopards. Often, they steal their kills and kill their cubs. Occasionally, they will even kill adults who cross their path. These cheetahs avoid confrontation by hunting at different times than the lions. To keep their cubs from being killed, they hide them in thick brush. Leopards use similar tactics, however unlike cheetahs, leopards can survive on a diet of smaller prey. Additionally, leopards can climb trees to hide their cubs and kills. Unfortunately for these leopards, female lionesses are sometimes successful in climbing trees. Additionally, lions sometimes compete with African wild dogs. They take their kills as they do with the cheetahs or leopards.

The only predator that can hold up a steady fight with a lion is the Nile crocodile. Whether the crocodile or lion wins all depends on location. Typically, crocodiles that have fallen to lions have ventured onto land, where the lion could fight them more easily. On the same note, lions that have fallen due to crocodiles typically have ventured into the water, where the crocodile had the advantage.