Swap lions found in the Busanga swap, Zambia in the Kafue National Park experience defeat. Their bodies are powerful in dry terrains but are not built for high speed races in the water.

This lists the logos of programs or partners of NG Education which have provided or contributed the content on this page. Program Big Cats Initiative

  • Busanga Swamp sits inside Kafue National Park in Zambia, Africa. Even in the dry season, this swamp does not dry out because small rivers run into it from higher ground. Busanga Swamp is home to many animals, including the lechwe, the waterbuck, the African bush elephant, the African buffalo, the crocodile, and the monitor lizard. The fact that this location is wet year-round means that it is difficult for lions to hunt here.

    1. What characteristics of lions hinder them from hunting successfully in Busanga Swamp?

      Show Answer

      The lions are built for power on dry land where they can use their short, thick legs and broad, muscular chests.

    2. What adaptations give the lechwe an advantage in Busanga Swamp?

      Show Answer

      The lechwe have long hooves, strong hind legs, and water-repelling fur.

    3. Predict ways the lions could be successful while hunting in Busanga Swamp.

      Show Answer

      Possible responses: The lions could get as close as possible without being detected by their prey so they wouldn't have to run as far. The lions could target prey animals in the drier parts of Busanga Swamp. Over time, lions might evolve to have a waterproof coat or a smaller chest.

  • Websites

  • Term Part of Speech Definition Encyclopedic Entry
    ecology Noun

    branch of biology that studies the relationship between living organisms and their environment.

    		 Encyclopedic Entry: ecology
    lion Noun

    large cat native to sub-Saharan Africa and Gir Forest National Park, India.
    swamp Noun

    land permanently saturated with water and sometimes covered with it.

    		 Encyclopedic Entry: swamp
Credits

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Writer

Dani Orth

Editors

Mary Ford, National Geographic Society
Elizabeth Wolzak, National Geographic Society

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Luke Dollar, Conservation Scientist

Courtesy

National Geographic Channel

Sources

Big Cats Initiative

Last Updated

Dec. 8, 2011

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact natgeocreative@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please visit our FAQ page.

Media

Some media assets (videos, photos, audio recordings and PDFs) can be downloaded and used outside the National Geographic website according to the Terms of Service. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the lower right hand corner (download) of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.