Big Cats and Defence

This week we are looking at how big cats defend themselves, mostly we think of them as deadly predators, but many have developed methods to protect themselves from injury during a hunt.

Also, they must deal with other cats that want to take over their territory and steal their kill for themselves. As well as protecting their cubs which is the responsibility of females.

A lioness will protect her cubs from other animals as well as from other lions who pose a threat to them. When a new male lion takes over a pride, he will usually kill all the cubs and mates with the lionesses to start his own family.

Lions usually hunt together to increase their chances of killing prey and protecting themselves, they will fan out in a semicircle to creep up on prey.

They have been known to take on large animals like giraffes and elephants which may result in them being injured.

Tigers are very protective of their territory; a male’s territory generally includes three or four females. The males will aggressively fight each other to defend their territory.

However, females have been known to share their kill with neighbouring females.

When these big cats attack in groups some will drive the intended victim in the direction of other cats waiting to pounce and kill, this is mostly used by lions and lynx.

Some animals have methods of defending themselves against attack by the big cats, elephants will kick, rampage and trample and are usually successful in running away.

Zebras snort loudly to alert the herd of impending danger and the males will position themselves between the predator and the herd. They will kick and bite trying to give the herd time to escape.

The wildebeest are known to break into a stampede when confronted by a predator.

More next week