Human beings are the apex predators of the planet. Our species is intelligent and creative enough to come up with a means to kill just about anything. And, regrettably, we have designed weapons that could change the world as we know it. However, if you strip away all of our tools, we’re not so tough. In fact, many animals would pose a significant threat to us. That’s why we’re going to explore whether an unarmed human can beat a lion in a one-on-one fight.
We’ll break down various elements of this fight and show you what would happen if you found yourself toe to toe with the king of the jungle.
Comparing an Unarmed Human and a Lion
| Unarmed Human | Lion | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: between 130 and 199 pounds Height: from 5 feet 3 inches up to 5 feet 9 inches on average, but far more is possible | Weight: from 260 to 550 pounds Height: from 3 feet to 3.9 feet at the shoulder Length: from 4.7 feet to 8.2 feet long |
| Speed | – The average running speed is 6.5 to 8 mph – The best runners have hit 20 mph or more, up to 27.5 mph | – Max speed of 40 to 50 mph when ending a pursuit – Often runs at 35 mph |
| Defenses | – Human intelligence allows for the development of shelter, armor, and traps to prevent harm – Unarmed humans have few defensive benefits except for stamina and intelligence – Good senses of sight and hearing help humans detect animals – Relatively fragile body with various weak points | – Protected by a pride of fellow lions in many cases – Mane protects the neck from bites – Raw power makes it difficult for any animal to bring down a lion – Speed helps the lion run from enemies |
| Offensive Capabilities | – May punch, kick, grapple, or otherwise attack prey – Can bite with a relatively weak bite force and small canines – Can use intelligence to lure animals into unfavorable situations | – Claws measure 1.5 to 2 inches in length and can shred flesh – Bite force of between 650 and 1,000 PSI that can break bones with ease – 2 to 4-inch canines can puncture deep into flesh and bone – Can smack prey with paws and do significant damage |
| Predatory Behavior | – Cursorial predators and ambush predators, but only with access to weapons | – Ambush predator, often when hunting alone and with others – Acts as a cursorial predator in some situations, wearing down prey before killing them |
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between an Unarmed Human and a Lion?
As with all battles that happen in the wild, the fight between an unarmed human and a lion would come down to five main factors. They are size, predatory behavior, speed, defenses, and offenses. Each of these elements will influence the fight.
So, figuring out whether a human or a lion comes away from this match alive means that we need to compare information and decide which animal has an advantage in a specific situation. After that, we’ll talk about how the fight would play out based on those factors. Let’s get to it!
Unarmed Human vs. Lion: Size
The lion has the size advantage.
©SeymsBrugger/Shutterstock.com
A lion is larger than a human being. The average lion weighs between 260 and 550 pounds, and it grows up to 3.9 feet tall and measures up to 8.2 feet long at its highest. Meanwhile, the average unarmed human weighs about 130 to 199 pounds and stands between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 9 inches in height. Of course, larger humans are around as well.
Still, lions have the size advantage in this battle.
Unarmed Human vs. Lion: Speed
Humans are much slower than lions.
©restyler/Shutterstock.com
Lions are much, much faster than human beings. A lion can run comfortably at about 35 mph. Yet, in the moments when they are about to bring down some prey, they can reach speeds between 40 and 50 mph.
Humans have an average running speed between 6.5 and 8 mph. The very fastest human reached 27.5 mph during a full sprint. This speed is unattainable for most people.
The lions have a significant speed advantage.
Unarmed Human vs. Lion: Defenses
Lions are known for living in prides, where other members of their group help to keep them safe from harm. On a physical level, their large size and power make them hard to take down and kill. Furthermore, they have the speed to help escape adverse situations. They also have manes that protect their otherwise vulnerable necks from bites.
Without weapons or armor, humans are very fragile beings. Unarmed humans would have to rely on their senses to identify and avoid danger while using their intelligence to come up with a plan to stay safe. That’s not going to help much in a fight with a wild animal.
Lions have an advantage in terms of physical defenses.
Unarmed Human vs. Lion: Offensive Capabilities
Lions are offensive powerhouses. They prefer to use a powerful bite to strangle their prey to death. Their bite force of 650 to 1,000 PSI is more than enough to do that job against the animals they hunt. Helping matters is the fact that they have 3 to 4-inch-long fangs that cause deep punctures and help them break vertebrae and skulls alike. Lions also have the power to smack an animal with their paws and cause significant harm. Lastly, they can use their claws to shred prey’s flesh. They’re loaded for battle.
Unarmed humans are not nearly as prepared for a physical fight. We can punch, kick, choke, wrestle, or bite other animals. However, our bite force is weak, our teeth are relatively small, and there is no way that a human is going to punch or kick a lion to death.
Lions have a significant advantage in terms of offensive capabilities.
Unarmed Human vs. Lion: Predatory Behavior
Lions can use two methods of hunting. They will either ambush prey and kill it right away or use several attackers to wear it down and kill it. The way they attack depends on what animal they’re hunting and if the lion is alone or with others.
Humans use a variety of different hunting tactics when they’re armed with tools and weapons. However, their best bet is to use an ambush attack when unarmed.
Lions have an advantage in terms of predatory behavior.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between an Unarmed Human and a Lion?
A lion would beat an unarmed human effortlessly.
©Ludmila Yilmaz/Shutterstock.com
No, an unarmed human could not beat a lion in a fight. Even if a human came upon a sleeping lion, their chances of killing it would be laughably small. Humans aren’t going to knock out a lion with a kick or punch in one shot. They’re also not going to strangle a lion to death. So, how do they win the fight?
Sure, humans can flee and try to evade the creature. However, lions are good hunters, and if they were dead set on killing a human, they would have no trouble.
The lion could use any sort of attack it wants to kill the unarmed human. The most likely attack method would be to leap on the human and bite them in the head or neck, causing rapid blood loss and immense trauma.
Lions kill armed humans from time to time. They’re deadly, hard to kill, fast, and deceptively sneaky for an animal that size. If a human with weapons has a hard time killing a lion, an unarmed person doesn’t stand a chance.
It should go without saying, but don’t try to attack wild animals. Leave them alone.
Animals That Could Take Down a Lion
While an unharmed human is no match for a lion, which is the dominant predator of its African habitat, there are several animals that are able to kill lions if given the opportunity.
Due to its size, an elephant would win in a fight against a lion. As an adult elephant can weigh more than 10,000 pounds, compared to a lion that averages only 500 pounds, it’s possible for them to flip a lion over and stomp it to death. The elephant can also use its tusks to impale the smaller animal.
Hippos, which can weigh more than 3,000 pounds and reach a maximum speed of 35 mph, are able to win a face-off against a lion, especially if the cat is caught in the 1800 PSI bite force of a hippo’s jaw, which can easily pulverize the body of a lion.Â
An adult rhino‘s horn is capable of goring an adult lion. A giraffe can deal with the threat of a lion by kicking it with a force of 2,000 pounds PSI, which is sufficient to decapitate a lion at close range.
Fully grown crocodiles will attack lions if caught in their territory and can kill them by latching onto them with their bite force of 3,700 PSI and drowning them.
Hyenas in a large pack are able to overpower individual lions by targeting those that are young, injured or elderly and isolating them before attacking as a group. Water buffalo also act in herds to chase off and kill lions, and often proactively seek out lion cubs to trample them to death before they mature.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Henrico Muller/Shutterstock.com
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