When you mention can lions climb trees, lions aren’t the first that comes to mind. Leopards are great tree climbers. They drag their prey up into the heights to enjoy their meal peacefully. Lions are better known for laying or sleeping under trees, especially in the heat of the day. The answer to the question of “do lions climb trees?” is not as easy as you imagine. So, in this blog post, we will be answering all the famous internet questions about lions and their relationships with trees. Stay Tuned!
Lions are big, heavy, and powerful animals. Male lions can have a weight of more than 180 kg and climb with that bulk around is hard. Reports of lions seen in the branches of trees have been increasing day by day. There are even specific feelings of pride of lions showing an increasing interest in this behavior.
How easily can lions climb trees?
Lions can climb trees quite easily as they are big African cats after all. Most trees in their habitat are also very easy to climb. These trees have multiple thick branches and multiple tilted trunks. These thick branches are perfect for jumping up the tree and moving between. Lions have astonishing sharp, and strong claws and powerful forearms. These strong claws are used for pulling down huge prey like buffalo and zebras. This combination of claws and forearm helps them climb a savanna tree with ease. There are several videos of lions climbing trees which shows that how easy it is for these big African cats.
Why would a lion climb a tree?
There are many reasons that can be seen about why a lion would climb a tree. Some reasons are essential and some are just for fun. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons for lions climbing trees:
To Escape Attack:
Lions are often seen chased down by their own prey. If they have gone after young animals then mothers battle back in order to save their young ones. So, sometimes a lion can be seen climbing a tree in order to escape attacks. A lion can also be seen climbing a tree in order to get camouflage from prey.
To Steal Food:
Leopards usually take their prey up the trees to enjoy it peacefully but they can’t hide its smell. So, a lion can be seen climbing a tree to steal food from other predators like leopards. Lions usually climb the thick branches and steal the food by frightening the other predator.
For Some Fresh Air:
The ground can be very hot especially, in the summertime. When the hot sun is shining in the noon and the temperature is rising. Lions climb trees in order to get some fresh air or to keep their body cool from the heat.
Avoid The Rain:
During the rain, lions are seen on trees to prevent getting wet. As these big African cats have a sharp mind, they are seen avoiding the rain on thick branches of savanna trees.
To Avoid Flies:
Water at ground level also attracts flies. Flies irritate lions by gathering on their faces and body. So, lions also climb trees to avoid these irritating flies to gather around.
Better Visibility:
Being up a tree can increase visibility. Lions can spot prey when they are at a good height. So, lions climb trees in order to get more visibility of the forest or plain in order to spot and hunt prey.
To Relax:
Being up a tree is the safest place you can imagine. Lions are often seen sleeping on tree branches as it is the safest place for them.
Just For Fun:
Young lions are often seen developing this behavior of climbing trees. Young cubs often find climbing trees an adventure. They also play with each other on tree branches.
Can lions get stuck up trees?
Unlike cats who often get stuck up in trees and need someone to rescue them, Lions just have to figure it out simply. Climbing the tree can be seen so easily that watching them come down is quite awkward. They often can’t understand whether to come down backward or forward, leap down or walk down. On an occasion, they get caught on a branch of a savanna tree or in a fork and have to figure things out while they hang there. This is a quite funny sight to see.
Unlike our pet cats who just wait for someone to rescue them, Lions need to get out of the tree else they will starve. It is all or nothing.Sometimes Lions go up trees to steal food from other predators who are also in the same tree. They don’t like to miss out on food once they have their mindset on it.
Summary
When you mention climbing trees, lions aren’t the first that comes to mind. Leopards are great tree climbers. They drag their prey up into the heights to enjoy their meal peacefully. Lions are better known for laying or sleeping under trees, especially in the heat of the day. Lions are big, heavy, and powerful animals. Male lions can have a weight of more than 180 kg and climb with that bulk around is hard. Reports of lions seen in the branches of trees have been increasing day by day. Lions can climb trees quite easily as they are big African cats after all. Most trees in their habitat are also very easy to climb. These trees have multiple thick branches and multiple tilted trunks. These thick branches are perfect for jumping up the tree and moving between.
Lions are often seen chased down by their own prey. If they have gone after young animals then mothers battle back in order to save their young ones. Leopards usually take their prey up the trees to enjoy it peacefully but they can’t hide its smell. So, a lion can be seen climbing a tree to steal food from other predators like leopards. The ground can be very hot especially, in the summertime. When the hot sun is shining in the noon and the temperature is rising. Hope this article helped you answer some of your questions, if so, share it with your friends and also let us know what was missing by providing feedback.