<P> The area a pride occupies is called a pride area, whereas that by a nomad is a range . The males associated with a pride tend to stay on the fringes, patrolling their territory . Why sociality--the most pronounced in any cat species--has developed in lionesses is the subject of much debate . Increased hunting success appears an obvious reason, but this is less than sure upon examination: coordinated hunting does allow for more successful predation but also ensures that non-hunting members reduce per capita calorific intake; however, some take a role raising cubs, who may be left alone for extended periods of time . Members of the pride regularly tend to play the same role in hunts and hone their skills . The health of the hunters is the primary need for the survival of the pride, and they are the first to consume the prey at the site it is taken . Other benefits include possible kin selection (better to share food with a related lion than with a stranger), protection of the young, maintenance of territory, and individual insurance against injury and hunger . </P> <P> Both males and females can defend the pride against intruders, but the male lion is better - suited for this purpose due to its stockier, more powerful build . Some individuals consistently lead the defence against intruders, while others lag behind . Lions tend to assume specific roles in the pride . Those lagging behind may provide other valuable services to the group . An alternative hypothesis is that there is some reward associated with being a leader who fends off intruders, and the rank of lionesses in the pride is reflected in these responses . The male or males associated with the pride must defend their relationship to the pride from outside males who attempt to take over their relationship with the pride . </P> <P> Lions are generalist hypercarnivores and usually hunt in groups . Their prey consists mainly of mammals, particularly ungulates, with a preference for wildebeest, zebras, buffalo, gemsbok, and giraffes in Africa and chital, sambar deer, nilgai, wild boar, chinkara and chousingha in India . African lions prefer prey weighing 190--550 kg (420--1,210 lb). They generally avoid fully grown adult elephants, hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses, as well as very small prey like dik - dik, hyrax, hare and vervet monkey . However, Thomson's gazelles may be hunted and warthogs are often taken depending on availability, despite being below the preferred weight range . In most areas, a small number of species may make up around three - fourths of the lion's diet . In Serengeti National Park, wildebeest, zebras and gazelle are the majority of prey . In Kruger National Park, giraffes are the most common prey, and in Manyara Park, Cape buffaloes constitute as much as 62% of the lion's diet, due to the high number density of buffaloes . At the Okavango Delta, with its strong seasonal changes in prey, up to eight species may make up three quarters of a lion's diet . Occasionally adult hippopotamus are taken at Gorongosa National Park and calves are commonly hunted at Virunga National Park . In addition to size, the aquatic nature of hippos makes them normally unavailable as prey . The lions of Savuti, Botswana, have adapted to hunting young elephants during the dry season, and a pride of 30 lions has been recorded killing individuals between the ages of four and eleven years . Lions also attack domestic livestock and in India cattle contribute significantly to their diet . Unusual prey items include porcupines and small reptiles . Lions will kill other predators such as leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, but they seldom devour them . </P> <P> Young lions first display stalking behaviour around three months of age, although they do not participate in hunting until they are almost a year old . They begin to hunt effectively when nearing the age of two . Single lions are capable of bringing down prey like zebra and wildebeest, which can be twice their own weight, while hunting larger prey like giraffes and buffalo alone is too much of a risk . Cooperative - hunting lions are usually successful . In prides, lionesses do most of the hunting . In typical hunts, each lioness has a favoured position in the group, either stalking prey on the "wing" then attacking, or moving a smaller distance in the centre of the group and capturing prey in flight from other lionesses . Males attached to prides do not usually participate in group hunting . However, some evidence suggests that pride males are just as successful as females; they are solo hunters who ambush prey in small bush . Lions they are not particularly known for their stamina--for instance, a lioness' heart makes up only 0.57% of her body weight (a male's is about 0.45% of his body weight), whereas a hyena's heart is close to 1% of its body weight . Thus, they only run fast in short bursts, and need to be close to their prey before starting the attack . They take advantage of factors that reduce visibility; many kills take place near some form of cover or at night . </P>

What is the diet of the african lion