12 Animals That Can Kill a Lion

By Rajni Pandey | May 15, 2025

12 Animals That Can Kill a Lion

Though smaller, hyenas hunt in clans. Their powerful jaws can crush bone, and in numbers they can wear down or ambush solitary lions.

1. Spotted Hyena

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“Black Death” buffalo are highly aggressive. A single buffalo can gore a lion with its horns or trample it to death when cornered.

2. African Buffalo

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At water’s edge, crocodiles ambush lions coming to drink. Their death roll and crushing bite can drown and dismember even a large cat.

3. Nile Crocodile

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Solitary and stealthy, leopards may steal kills or surprise young or weakened lions in trees. Their ambush power and sharp claws can be lethal.

4. Leopard

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Despite herbivorous diet, hippos fiercely defend territory. Their massive jaws and tusks can fatally wound a lion that ventures too close.

5. Hippopotamus

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Rhinos’ thick skin and deadly horn charge can gore lions. A cornered lion risks impalement or being trampled by these heavyweights.

6. Rhinoceros

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A giraffe’s kick delivers over 2,000 psi of force. A swift, well-placed hoof strike to a lion’s skull or body can be instantly fatal.

7. Giraffe

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Elephants use size and tusks to crush threats. A protective adult can easily gore or trample a lion that attacks calves or gets too near.

8. African Elephant

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In packs of 20+, wild dogs exhaust prey through endurance chases. They nip at heels and can sever tendons, immobilizing even a strong lion.

9. African Wild Dog

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A lion biting a porcupine risks quills in its mouth and throat. Infections from quill wounds can lead to severe illness or death.

10. Porcupine

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Though less powerful, cheetahs may harass young lions or scavenge; in rare fights, their speed and claws can inflict wounds that become fatal.

11. Cheetah

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Jackals target orphaned or injured cubs. In numbers they can overwhelm and kill young lions by biting vulnerable areas.

12. Jackal

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