And sometimes rhinos and hippos. They will also eat smaller animals such as hares, birds and reptiles. They have been known to attack elephants when food is scarce.
The lion's archetypal roar is used to communicate with other group members and warn intruders of territorial boundaries.
Long, retractable claws help the lion to grab and hold prey.
The species' rough tongue helps it to peel the skin of prey animals away from flesh and flesh away from bone.