As the King of the Jungle, lions are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on meat for their nutritional needs. While they regularly hunt animals such as buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and antelope, they also occasionally snack on a variety of plants. This might seem strange at first, but there are many reasons why vegetarian foods sometimes creep into a lion’s diet.

Why Do Lions Eat Their Greens?

When lions are not on the prowl for meat they eat plants to aid digestion or even soothe stomach pain. Plants can also help them to hydrate during droughts and are good for expelling parasites. After eating lots of rich meat, greens help provide more balanced nutrients, ensuring lions stay as healthy as possible in the wild. Here are some of the varieties of plants they eat:

Wild Grass

Read any lion book and you’ll know that many lions live in the savanna, where wild grass is a natural part of their habitat. It therefore makes sense that lions often eat this grass including soft, young shoots which help them to bring up hairballs. This behaviour mirrors that of domestic cats.

Acacia Leaves

As with wild grass, Acacia trees are found across the savanna and while lions stay away from the thorny branches, they often nibble on the tender leaves. These leaves contain moisture and during the dry season, a lion must find water in any way it can to stay hydrated. Nature is remarkable in many ways and lions instinctively know what vegetation is good for their survival.

Wild Basil

While aromatic herbs like basil might not be a lion’s first choice of food, they do often sniff these herbs and sometimes even eat them. Basil has a lot of antibacterial properties and, as a result, helps to ease digestive discomfort or soothe mild stomach issues that can arise after eating tough or fatty meat.

Devils Thorn

Lions sometimes chew Devil’s Thorn because it offers natural benefits that help them stay healthy in the wild. As mentioned, lions instinctively use certain plants as remedies and Devil’s Thorn is one of the most useful. Its soft leaves contain anti‑inflammatory compounds, which can help soothe muscle strain after hunting or fighting.

1. Sorghum Shoots

Africa is home to a wide array of plants including sorghum shoots. These are full of water and, again, help lions to stay as hydrated as possible during dry spells. They also settle the stomach after eating prey. Sorghum shoots are much more gentle on the digestive system than rich meats, making them a great choice for carnivores who need to give their stomachs a bit of a rest.

If you love lions and want to enjoy an adorable story about these creatures told on the big stage, book The Lion Inside today. As one of the best lion reads for small children, this story by Rachel Bright and Jim Field is now touring the UK. Catch it in London, Southampton and Chelmsford between August and September.