![]() ![]() If this happens, the lion’s instincts kick in, and they will chase them. Most times, elephants will chase off the lions however, if an elephant panics, they may run. If there is no other food around, lions will test elephants using intimidation. Due to the size of an elephant, even a small calf can make an excellent meal. Lions will only attempt to attack a large elephant if there is a severe lack of other food. Only certain prides have worked out how to take down a sub-adult male, although there have been stories of adults being killed by a pride of lions.īeing quick learners and opportunistic, lions rely on intimidation to capture their prey, so they will typically go for something much easier, like antelope or impala. Without the correct technique, injuries or fatalities can happen to the predator. ![]() Taking down an elephant of any size is a risky proposition for any animal. Any frail or injured animals will make an easy meal for a pack of wild dogs if not protected by the herd, and hippos may take exception to them at the watering hole.ĭo you know how good an elephant’s senses are? Find out here Lions Predators are opportunistic, and a calf seen straying can make an easy meal for a lion or a pack of hyenas. The first two years of an elephant’s life are the most dangerous, and they need to stay close to the herd for safety. The animals milling around will look outwards to keep watch for predators. Herd members will stand closely around the mother when giving birth to stop predators from getting to the youngest animals. ![]() Elephants use their trunk to scold, slap and keep calves in place. Fatalities have happened from hippos in some cases, although these are rare.īaby elephants are usually not allowed to stray too far from their mother and will be kept close using tactile and auditory communication. These include lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and crocodiles. How do calves protect themselves?Īlthough adult males do not generally have any natural predators except humans, young calves have a few. This is their usual attack when dealing with other animals.Įlephants use their trunks in lots of different ways. If an animal gets too close, the elephant will try to grab it with its trunk before throwing it beneath its feet. Elephants will generally stay in large herds, sometimes up to 100 individuals, a significant deterrent to most predators.Īn elephant’s tusk is also incredibly strong and can make an excellent weapon to defend itself against attackers, especially rhinos.Īn elephant’s trunk is made up of muscle with no bones and can cause severe damage to any other animal. There are not many animals that could take down a fully grown adult.Įlephants can also run fast for their size, an excellent defence against some animals. Elephants can grow up to 4 meters tall and early 6,500 kg. Let’s look at how they protect themselves from any predators they may have.ĭo you know how elephants mate? Find out here How do elephants protect themselves?Įlephants are enormous animals, and this is their primary defence against other animals. I have learned a lot about animals since I watched the documentary with the elephant, and elephants have always been one of my favourite animals. Snakes such as the cobra or black mamba can cause fatal bites in calves, while crocodiles can be dangerous at a waterhole. Hyenas will typically only prey on sick or dying calves, while wild dogs use their numbers to overwhelm small elephants. Two male lions can take down a sub-adult male. Luckily for the 8-year-old me, the elephant got away when its mum came to protect it.Įlephants don’t have many predators, but lions are their most dangerous. When I was a child, I watched a nature documentary where a lion attacked an elephant calf, stretching its skin to unimaginable lengths to take it down. ![]()
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