How fast can a lion run?

Lions can run at top speeds of 50 miles per hour. Lionesses are faster than male lions, and they do most of the hunting for the pride.

Lions can only run in short bursts, so they must be close to their prey before starting the chase. They often use the cover of darkness to sneak up on their prey so they can attack from close proximity. Lionesses hunt together, with each one playing a different role in the hunt. Smaller females typically chase the quarry toward the larger lionesses, which ambush and seize the prey. Hunting in a group allows lions to capture prey that are faster than they are, such as antelopes.