Lions are large, powerful predators that roam Africa, hunting a wide assortment of prey. Although lions are capable of taking down large prey with the help of their prides, these mammals can’t hunt every animal solo. Today, we’re going to look at a cape buffalo vs. lion fight and see which of these animals would survive in a one-on-one battle with each other.
This battle plays out in real life quite often, but it is somewhat rare for a single lion and a single buffalo to be pitted against each other.
Comparing a Cape Buffalo and a Lion
| Cape Buffalo | Lion | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: between 600 and 2,000 pounds Height: from 4 to 6 feet at the shoulder Length: from 6 to 8.3 feet | Weight: 260 to 550 pounds Height: 3 to 4 feet Length: 4.7 to 8.2 feet |
| Speed | – Can run at 22 and 35 mph | – 35 mph – Runs at speeds of 40 to 50 mph for short distances when hunting |
| Defenses | – Has a large, strong body that makes it hard to take down – Lives in a large herd of animals which makes it difficult to target one – Has enough speed to get away from trouble | – Lives and often hunts in a group for safety – Has the speed to run away from trouble, such as hyena groups – As the largest big cat in Africa, few other predators match its size |
| Offensive Capabilities | – Has horns they can use to gore enemies – Has powerful legs they can use to kick, stomp, or trample their foes – Can leverage its power and weight to knock enemies over | – Has long, sharp claws that help them dig into prey – Has large, strong paws capable of delivering powerful blows – Biting force between 650 and 1,000 psi – Has 3-inch-long canine teeth |
| Predatory Behavior | – No prey drive since it is an herbivore | – Ambush hunters that lie in wait pick a target, and rush out to kill it – Will bite and drag an enemy to the ground by the throat or neck, suffocating them or cutting off their blood supply |
What Are 2 Key Differences Between a Cape Buffalo and a Lion?
A large male lion can weigh up to 550 pounds!
©Jrossphoto/Shutterstock.com
The biggest differences between a cape buffalo and a lion are their size and feeding habits. The average cape buffalo is much larger than a lion. These mammals weigh anywhere from 600 to 2,000 pounds, grow between 4 and 6 feet tall, and measure 6 to 8.3 feet long. Meanwhile, a lion weighs 260 to 550 pounds, grows 3 to 4 feet tall, and measures 4.7 to 8.3 feet long. Lions are large predators, but they’re not as big as the cape buffalo.
Lions are carnivorous apex predators in their range, so they’re at the top of the food chain. Lions are hunters, but that does not mean they are invincible. Meanwhile, cape buffalo are herbivores, so they mainly eat grass. These two differences will have major implications for this battle.
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Cape Buffalo and a Lion?
These buffalo are docile creatures, but they will fight back if they must.
©Hannes Thirion/Shutterstock.com
Even though the fight may seem lopsided since the lion is a large predator and cape buffalo are herbivores, we must examine several elements of this matchup. We are going to consider their size, speed, defenses, offensive abilities, and the lion’s predation style. After comparing the two animals in each of these respective areas, we’ll have enough information to draw a conclusion about this fight’s outcome.
Cape Buffalo vs. Lion: Size
The cape buffalo is larger than a lion. The average lion weighs about 260 to 550 pounds and only stands about 3 to 4 feet tall. Meanwhile, the cape buffalo can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds and may stand as much as 6 feet tall.
The cape buffalo has the size advantage in this fight.
Cape Buffalo vs. Lion: Speed
The average lion is faster than a cape buffalo. The top-end speed for a cape buffalo is somewhere between 20 and 35 miles per hour. Meanwhile, most lions can reach 35 miles per hour while running. They can really push themselves when closing in on their prey, though, reaching speeds of 40 to 50 miles per hour!
Lions have the speed advantage in this fight.
Cape Buffalo vs. Lion: Defenses
Both lions and cape buffalo live in groups, offering them protection against other animals. However, in this fight, we are focusing on a one-on-one battle. Cape buffalo are large animals, and their sheer size makes it hard to take one down. They can absorb a lot of damage to their bodies before they’re fatally injured. Of course, that doesn’t matter much with the precise attacks inflicted by lions. Also, they have enough speed to run away from some foes.
Lions are large and dangerous enough that few animals would go toe-to-toe with them. However, some animals, like hyenas, will attack lions when they have them at a numbers disadvantage. Still, lions’ size and numbers are enough to keep foes at bay.
Cape buffalo have better physical defenses than a lion with their large size.
Cape Buffalo vs. Lion: Offensive Capabilities
Lions are deadly hunters that have all the weapons needed to take down large prey. They have long, sharp claws that help them grasp prey or deliver a powerful swipe against foes. Lions also have 3-inch-long canine teeth and a bite force between 650 and 1,000 psi, more than enough to break bones and rip open flesh.
Cape buffalo are not helpless, though. They have long horns that they can use to gore enemies along with powerful legs to kick or stomp on them. These animals will use their weight and speed to knock over their enemies before kicking, stomping, and goring them.
Lions have an advantage in offensive abilities since they are built for active hunting.
Cape Buffalo vs. Lion: Predatory Behavior
Cape buffalo have no predatory instincts as herbivores. However, lions are deadly ambush hunters who stalk prey, rush them, and take them down. They usually kill their prey with a bite to the throat or neck, attempting to suffocate them or otherwise render them helpless to their attacks. Oftentimes, they attack in groups, but they can also hunt solo.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Cape Buffalo and a Lion?
A single male lion could win against a cape buffalo, but they aren’t successful all the time.
©iStock.com/AOosthuizen
A lion would win a fight against a cape buffalo. However, a single lion successfully hunting a cape buffalo is not something frequently seen in the wild. Large males can hunt these animals alone, but female lions do most of the hunting in lion prides. Lionesses may also take down a cape buffalo alone, but they’ll often focus on juveniles to increase their chances of success. In small groups, though, lionesses can dispatch a cape buffalo.
These hunting attempts do not always end well for lions, though. If a lion fails to bite the buffalo on the throat, it’s liable to get gored, trampled, and tossed around. So, while a lion has a better chance of winning this bout, we can’t entirely count out a cape buffalo.
All in all, a lion has a better chance of killing a cape buffalo than the other way around.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © 2021 Photography/Shutterstock.com
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