Hyena and lion rivalry is fabled, and popular culture has even made reference to it in films like "The Lion King." So, can these sly animals take on the big bad lion?

Hyenas often prey on herbivores and other simple prey, but when the going gets tough, they won't hesitate to attack tougher, more threatening predators like lions. When the chance arises and there is a severe lack of food for these animals, hyenas prey on lions. Hyenas hunt in packs, so when they succeed in killing a lion, it is more of a team effort. Since lions are big and hefty, a full pack of about 20 hyenas is required to take on a single lion.

Only in times of food shortage or when a lion himself is unwell would the king of the jungle feed on hyenas. On the other hand, hyenas frequently devour young lions. These scavengers often kill and consume lion cubs in order to assert their dominance and to simply fill up their bellies. Hyenas find it more difficult to kill adult lions since they may rapidly overwhelm a whole pack. Young lions are an easier target because they lack the maturity needed to kill prey and defend themselves against striped and spotted hyenas' ferocious attacks. Therefore, to protect their young from any unforeseen attacks, male lions frequently kill striped and spotted hyenas as well. So basically, yeah lions and hyenas do kill each other.