<P> The lion is a generalist hypercarnivore and usually hunts in groups . Its prey consists mainly of mammals--particularly ungulates--with a preference in Africa for blue wildebeest, plains zebra, African buffalo, gemsbok and giraffe; and in India for chital, sambar deer, nilgai, wild boar, chinkara and chousingha . Because of its wide prey spectrum, the lion is considered to be an apex and keystone predator . African lions prefer prey weighing 190--550 kg (420--1,210 lb). They generally avoid fully grown adult elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamus, as well as small prey like dik - dik, hyrax, hare and vervet monkey . African lions, however, hunt Thomson's gazelle and kill common warthog depending on availability, although both species are below the preferred weight range . Lions also attack domestic livestock that, in India, contribute significantly to their diet . Unusual prey items include porcupines and small reptiles . Lions kill other predators such as leopard, cheetah and hyenas but seldom consume them . </P> <P> In many areas, a small number of species comprise around three quarters of the lion's diet . In Serengeti National Park, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle form the majority of lion prey . In Kruger National Park, the giraffe is the most common prey . In Manyara Park, Cape buffalo constitutes about 62% of the lion's meat consumption . In the Okavango Delta, potential prey migrate seasonally . Up to eight species comprise three quarters of a lion's diet . The size and aquatic nature of hippopotamus means it is normally unavailable as prey but lions in Virunga National Park occasionally hunt hippopotamus calves and in Gorongosa National Park they also take adult specimens . In Savuti marsh in Botswana's Chobe National Park, lions have been recorded preying on juvenile and sub-adult African bush elephants during the dry season, when ungulates migrate away from the area . In October 2005, a pride of up to 30 lions killed and consumed eight African bush elephants that were between four and eleven years old . The prey - to - predator weight ratio of 10--15: 1 between elephants and lions, respectively, is the highest ratio known among terrestrial animals . </P> <P> Young lions first display stalking behaviour at around three months of age, although they do not participate in hunting until they are almost a year old and begin to hunt effectively when nearing the age of two . Single lions are capable of bringing down prey twice their size, such as zebra and wildebeest, while hunting larger prey like giraffes and buffalo alone is too risky . Cooperatively 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 fleeing from other lionesses . Males attached to prides do not usually participate in group hunting . Some evidence suggests, however, that pride males are just as successful as females; they are solo hunters who ambush prey in small bushland . Lions are not particularly known for their stamina--for instance, a lioness' heart comprises only 0.57% of her body weight and a male's is about 0.45% of his body weight, whereas a hyena's heart comprises almost 1% of its body weight . Thus, lions only run quickly 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 . Because lions are ambush hunters, human farmers have recently found that lions are easily discouraged if they think their prey has seen them . To protect their cattle from such attacks with that knowledge in mind, farmers have found it effective to paint eyes on the hindquarters of each cow, which is usually enough to make hunting lions think they have been seen and select easier prey . </P> <P> The lion's attack is short and powerful; they attempt to catch prey with a fast rush and final leap, and usually kill prey by strangulation, which can cause cerebral ischemia or asphyxia and results in hypoxaemia or hypoxia . They also kill prey by enclosing its mouth and nostrils in their jaws, which also results in asphyxia . Lions typically consume prey at the location of the hunt but sometimes drag large prey into cover . They tend to squabble over kills, particularly the males . Cubs suffer most when food is scarce but otherwise all pride members eat their fill, including old and crippled lions, which can live on leftovers . Large kills are shared more widely among pride members . An adult lioness requires an average of about 5 kg (11 lb) of meat per day while males require about 7 kg (15 lb). Lions gorge themselves and eat up to 30 kg (66 lb) in one session; if it is unable to consume all of the kill, it rests for a few hours before continuing to eat . On hot days, the pride retreats to shade with one or two males standing guard . Lions defend their kills from scavengers such as vultures and hyenas . </P>

Who hunts most – male or female lions