The video begins with a lion standing successfully above a kill. It appears to be a large adult water buffalo.
Mistakenly choosing to bring the prey down in the water exposes the lion to a crocodile.
The lion engages in a struggle with the crocodile as it tries to drag the carcass away.
Lion vs. Crocodile – When two hungry predators meet, the battle that happens is incredible to watch!
In the video found at the bottom of this article, you’ll see that the lion has made a good kill, a large adult water buffalo. However, it makes the mistake of taking it down its prey in the water. A large crocodile lunges for some meat and the lion attempts to drag the carcass away. The crocodile isn’t giving up and it swings its huge head full of teeth toward the lion in a show of power.
The lion smacks the crocodile on the top of its snout several times telling it to back off. The crocodile manages to grab a bite and scarf it down. The lion tries again to move its meal away, but the hungry crocodile still wants more. The lion attempts to drive the crocodile away by swatting at it. The crocodile doesn’t appear to be backing down any time soon. Tourists watch as the struggle goes on.
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Find out which animal wins their dinner when you watch the video at the end!
Do these two predators often meet?
If you love the dose of adrenaline, you should visit Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Yes. Filmed in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa, this crocodile vs. lion encounter isn’t too rare. Like many places in Africa, lions and crocodiles both live, hunt, and breed in this vast reserve. Since they compete for resources like food and water, clashes are bound to happen.
A young lion, unaware of the danger, may suffer a crocodile attack if it goes into the water or if it gets too close. The power and strength of a lion could overpower a small crocodile. Because they both need water to live, these situations are not uncommon. Crocodiles are ambush predators which makes them fast and agile hunters.
They are able to propel themselves with speed and power from the water to latch onto an animal taking a drink. They will then drag their prey underwater to drown it or rip a piece off while it’s still alive. Lions are pack hunters. They work together to take down prey many times larger than themselves. They do this to feed their large families called pride. Their teamwork could confuse a crocodile and lots of claws and teeth could do a lot of damage.
Who might win a lion vs. crocodile battle could hinge on the location. On land, the lion would have the advantage because they are quick and nimble. In the water, the crocodile has the upper hand by all accounts. Another factor is bite force. The bite force of a lion is roughly 650 psi (or pounds per square inch). The bite force of a crocodile is an amazing 3,700-5,000 psi and is the strongest of any animal measured. In comparison, the bite force of a human is only 162 psi. If the lion gets bitten by the crocodile first, chances are it’s game over for the lion.
The short answer is yes. This video centers around a crocodile vs. lion battle, but most lions are very careful when it comes to crocodiles. Since crocodiles live relatively long lives and never stop growing, lions will be extremely cautious of the huge predators. Lions will almost always choose to avoid crocodiles if they can.
When lions come to a watering hole to drink, you can see them keeping their eyes up. They are watching for any signs of movement from the water while they drink. As a general rule, lions are very watchful of their surroundings. Even the animals they hunt can be a threat if lions aren’t careful. Baby lions are in the most danger when it comes to crocodiles. They are also at risk from other apex predators like hyenas, leopards, and even other lions. Young lions, still learning to hunt, may try to take on a crocodile in hopes of an easy meal. In that lion vs. crocodile encounter, the lions would find out that even small crocodiles can be quite the worthy adversary both in and out of the water.
How Large Do Lions Get in the Wild?
Lions are territorial and will protect their pride at great costs.
Male lions can reach lengths of about 9 to 10 feet and weigh up to 500 pounds. Conversely, females typically grow to 7 to 8 feet in length and weigh between 270 and 350 pounds. In their natural habitat, African Lions have an average lifespan of 15 to 18 years, while under human care, they can live between 25 to 30 years.
While lions can grow to be a staggering size, Tigers hold the title of being the world’s largest wild cat!
Is It Normal Behavior for Lions to Attack Crocodiles?
Lions assert dominance by occasionally killing crocodiles and leaving their bodies behind.
Lions occasionally kill crocodiles and leave their bodies behind to assert dominance. If the conflict arises from the lion’s attempt to steal the croc’s food, the crocodile might avoid their aggression. Yet, if the crocodile fiercely defends the carcass, the lions may choose to kill it.
As a pack, they hunt larger prey to increase their chances of success. However, when it comes to a small crocodile, they can handle it alone. Additionally, it’s normal for them to hunt smaller prey in between larger kills.
Watch the action in the video below!
Watch these two fierce predators scuffle over a fresh kill. Check out this interesting video and tell us what you think! Are these incredible animals sharing the meal or fighting over it? I suppose it all depends on your perspective.
Rachael is a lifelong animal lover who has worked in the veterinary industry since 2012. Once she started working at a veterinary clinic, she never looked back. She started as a groomer and quickly moved up into a veterinary assistant position. She constantly pushed for training and knowledge about veterinary medicine and nursing care. Furthermore, she absolutely loves her position as a seasoned veterinary assistant, saving animal lives and educating owners. After 12 years as a veterinary assistant, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Rachael determined she would need to cut back her hours and find a less physically demanding side hustle. That's how she ended up here, freelance writing for a-z-animals.com! Rachael shares her home with her adoring husband, a beautiful Bengal cat named Citrine, and a handsome Basset Hound x Pomeranian Mix dog named Pepsi. She works full-time as a veterinary assistant/receptionist and writes in her free time. Rachael's dream in life is to become a cat show judge with The International Cat Association (TICA) and/or Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). Judges get to travel the world and meet beautiful Purebred cats from every continent. Meeting the people that love their cats as much as she does is also a huge positive of the cat fancy. Rachael bred and raised Bengal cats under her cattery name Nemera Bengals for about 8 years before a cross-country move meant she had to stop. She hopes to have a Bengal breeding program again in the future.
