Matimba Marimane sent this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive in South Africa’s Thornybush Private Game Reserve.
Mom returns
We join the action as a female leopard arrives at the base of a tree. As she does, we can tell from her snarling and attention focused to the left of the frame, that she is not happy.
Having issued her warning to the as-yet-unseen cause of her discontent, she looks up the tree. Consequently, we’re left wondering why she is upset and what is of interest up the tree.
Mysteries solved
Moments later, the answers to our questions are answered, when suddenly, she leaps up the tree trunk. As she does, we see a spotted hyena walk into the scene.
Then, as she ascends the tree, we see her join her sub-adult offspring. Leopards often climb trees to escape potential danger.
Now safe in their lofty lookout, the pair look down on the hyena with something approaching disdain. Typical cats!
Stashed treasure
Subsequently, we discover why the younger leopard was up the tree in the first place. As it happens, they had a kill stashed in the branches.
And, it seems, Mum has returned to feed, as we see her manoeuvring to retrieve her prey. But what is it that she’s after?
Lizard for lunch
As she turns in the treetop, we finally see what it is. They have caught a monitor lizard.
Monitors are the largest lizards found on the African continent, and leopards (along with martial eagles) are their main predators.
Lost lunch
As she looks for a comfortable spot to enjoy her meal, she makes a silly mistake by dropping the lizard. As gravity takes over, all she and her cub can do is look on as it falls to the ground below.
This is exactly the moment that the hyena has been waiting for. In a flash, the scavenger scampers over to steal the carcass.
Something is off here
However, to our surprise, the hyena doesn’t immediately pick up its bounty from above. Instead, it spends some time sniffing at it.
Considering that hyenas are known to eat putrefied meat, its apparent reluctance in this case is unusual. Possible reasons for this are that monitors are venomous, and their flesh contains a lot of bacteria.
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I don’t want it. But it’s mine
Nevertheless, when a second hyena arrives on the scene, the first appears unwilling to share. This may be an issue of hierarchy, with the second animal reluctant to try its luck with a senior member of the clan.
After warning off the newcomer, the hyena walks off a short distance, but still seems reluctant to tuck in.
Meanwhile, up above
While all this is happening at ground level, the two leopards remain in the tree’s upper branches. Presumably, they’ve decided that it’s not worth the risk of trying to win back the lizard.
As the footage comes to an end, the mother and cub watch the hyenas below. Perhaps they’re hoping the hyena will drop the lizard, leaving them to safely retrieve it later.
Hyperactive Baby Hippo Scares Everyone In The Waterhole
This amusing video was sent to Latest Sightings by Isa Carter. She filmed it at a water hole in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
I’m bored!
It’s often said that an “only child” can be a challenge, especially for friends and neighbours. And, judging by the events in this video, the same is true in the animal kingdom.
As Isa’s video begins, we see a lone hippo calf standing on the banks of its water hole. In the background, a herd of zebras await their turn to come down for a drink.
Amusing itself
It would seem that it has no one to socialise with. Nevertheless, as it runs around, it appears quite content to burn off the excess energy of youth on it’s own.
After charging around on the water’s edge for a while, it decides to return to the water, seemingly delighted at the big splash it makes.
For a chubby calf, it is surprisingly light-footed. As it takes to the water, it continues to amuse Isa and her companions with its antics. Quite what the rest of the onlookers think is open to debate.
Its mother, seen in the foreground above, seems content to watch the calf at play. Like any harried mum, she is probably enjoying a moment alone.
Thirsty zebras
Meanwhile, when the rambunctious calf took to the water, the zebras headed down to the water to slake their thirst. However, when the calf notices them, it cocks its ears in interest.
Potential playmates?
Consequently, it would seem that the calf saw the new arrivals as potential playmates. Subsequently, the over-enthusiastic calf set off towards the zebras with all the joys of youth.
Unfortunately for the little hippo, his barrelling approach was a bit much for the skittish zebras. In response, they turned and trotted away from the water’s edge.
By the time he emerged from the water, the zebras had retreated to the nearby treeline. Evidently, the hippos’ behaviour was a bit much when all they wanted was a quiet drink.
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Abundant energy
Nonetheless, their disappearance did little to dampen the calf’s enthusiasm. He had energy to spare and was going to burn it off one way or the other. Even if it meant playing with elephant dung…
As Isa’s video draws to an end, the little hippo, undeterred, continued to charge up and down on the lakeshore.
And, despite his protestations of innocent fun, the zebras in the background remained unwilling to join in the fun.
Playful practice
As amusing as the young hippo’s behaviour is, it actually serves an important part of its early development. Playtime for young animals is the time when they will learn the various skills necessary for long-term survival.
Hippos are highly territorial creatures, particularly in their aquatic homes. As such, while the calf may not be doing so intentionally, it is employing various behaviours that in later life will help it assert its territorial dominance.
These include charging towards intruders, patrolling the domain, and gaping jaw displays. Of course, at this stage in its life, it is all in the spirit of play.
However, later in life, these skills may mean the difference between life and death. Whatever the outcome, for us as observers, they’re both fascinating and fun to observe.
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