Do Lions Hunt Hippos?

Do lions hunt hippos? The answer is yes—but only under specific and often desperate conditions. Lions generally prefer to go after easier, less dangerous prey. However, in the right (or wrong) circumstances—a vulnerable calf, an isolated adult, a drought-stricken savannah, or a bold young lion—hippos can become targets.

Why Hippos Are Not a Common Target

The African savannah is home to a diverse array of prey animals, and lions generally prefer to hunt those that are easier and safer to catch. Zebra, wildebeest, and antelope are the more typical targets for a pride. These animals, though quick and agile, are much less dangerous than a hippo.

So why don’t lions often hunt hippos?

Size and Strength

Adult hippos are incredibly large animals, weighing anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 pounds. They are also extremely strong, with powerful jaws that can deliver a bite force of over 1,800 pounds per square inch. Their thick, almost armor-like skin is difficult to penetrate, even for a lion’s sharp claws and teeth.

Aggressiveness and Temperament

Despite their chubby appearance, hippos are considered one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. They are highly territorial, especially in water, and have been known to attack boats, crocodiles, and even people who venture too close. Their aggressive nature and unpredictable behavior make them a dangerous target for any predator, including lions.

Natural Defense Mechanisms

Hippos are well adapted to both land and water, though they rely heavily on water to keep their bodies cool during the hot African day. They spend most of their daylight hours submerged in rivers or lakes and emerge at night to graze. When threatened, hippos often retreat to water, where they are most agile and safest from land-based predators.

When Do Lions Decide to Hunt Hippos?

Even though hippos are far from an ideal target, there are rare scenarios in which lions may choose to go after them. These situations are typically driven by necessity, opportunity, or the behavior of individual lions.

Young Males Testing Their Limits

Lions, particularly younger males, sometimes display risky behavior due to inexperience and a desire to prove themselves. A youthful lion that is still learning to hunt may see a hippo as a challenge or simply a curious target. While these early attempts are often more about experimentation or play, they can escalate into serious confrontations if the hippo is caught off-guard or weakened.

Isolated Hippos on Land

Hippos need to stay close to water during the day to avoid overheating. However, sometimes circumstances force a hippo to stray too far from a water source—perhaps due to competition with dominant males, a dry season that limits available pools, or wandering too far while grazing at night. If a lion or a pride encounters a hippo far from water, particularly in the heat of the day, it may be more vulnerable and easier to exhaust.

In these cases, lions might work together to stalk and tire the hippo before launching a full attack. This can take time and coordination, but if the hippo is sufficiently fatigued or wounded, the odds shift in the lions’ favor.

Scarcity of Other Prey

During times of food scarcity—such as droughts or migrations—lions may be forced to take bigger risks in order to survive. If more typical prey becomes rare or unavailable, lions may turn to larger animals, including elephants, giraffes, or hippos.

In these high-stakes hunts, lions will usually target the most vulnerable members of the group: calves, elderly hippos, or those that appear injured or sick. A weakened hippo calf separated from the protection of its mother presents an ideal opportunity for a pride to secure a large meal, albeit still with considerable danger involved.

How Lions Hunt a Hippo

The process of taking down a hippo requires a coordinated effort and significant strength, especially given the animal’s size and resilience.

Strategy and Coordination

Lions are social hunters, which gives them a strategic advantage. When hunting a large target like a hippo, they rely heavily on teamwork. Several lions will often approach from different angles to confuse and surround the prey. The goal is to isolate the hippo and exhaust it through continuous attacks.

The lions may take turns lunging, biting, and clawing at the hippo, avoiding its powerful jaws and dangerous charges. Once the hippo is sufficiently weakened, the lions aim for a critical spot—usually the neck or windpipe—to deliver a fatal bite.

Role of Male Lions

Male lions typically do not take part in every hunt, especially when the prey is smaller or when lionesses are capable of handling it. But when it comes to a target as massive as a hippo, males often step in due to their greater physical strength. Their added muscle power can be crucial in bringing the hippo down and holding it in place.

Documented Cases of Lions Hunting Hippos

There are a few documented incidents, primarily captured by wildlife researchers and videographers, showing lions successfully hunting hippos. In some instances, an entire pride—including both males and females—has been seen working together to wear down and kill a hippo. In others, young male lions have been seen attempting to take on hippos solo, sometimes unsuccessfully, highlighting the danger involved.

While these rare cases do occur, they are outliers rather than the norm. Most lions will choose to avoid a hippo unless the situation heavily favors the hunters or desperation forces them into taking the risk.