Cameron Schmidt sent this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it at Pumba Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province.
Backstory
After ambushing a family of warthogs, a pair of cheetahs was preparing to feed. Then something surprising happened.
The remaining warthogs returned to the scene, intent on intimidating their aggressors.
Adopting a divide-and-conquer strategy, the pigs managed to get between the pair, resulting in a stand-off with one of the big cats.
Unexpected lunge
Then, unexpectedly, one of the warthogs lunged towards the highly-strung cat.
In response, the cheetah momentarily lost its nerve and turned to flee.
However, it was a ruse. It turned out the warthogs were just looking for an escape route. Seeing this, the cheetah turned back towards them, bringing their flight to a halt.
See-saw battle
With that, the cheetah went back on the offensive.
With a lunge of its own, it charged towards the pigs, slapping the ground with its front paws.
But the pigs were not that easily intimidated. Instead, they stood their ground before taking back the initiative by once again charging at the spotted cat.
I’m not joking this time!
This time, the charging hog appeared ready to escalate its threat into a full-blown attack. Seeing this, the cheetah turned to flee once more.
We then see a sight not many will get to see. As the cheetah lengthens its stride, the pursuing pig gets perilously close to slashing at it with its sharp tusks.
It is only the cheetahs superior acceleration that keeps it out of the warthog’s reach.
Ruse 2.0
As the cheetah runs for safety, the plucky pig realises that it won’t be able to catch the cheetah and veers out of the chase.
As it does, it becomes apparent that it has nevertheless succeeded in fooling the predator. For now the way is clear for it to leave the scene, presumably running for the safety of its burrow.
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Better things to do
With the first cheetah now well clear, the camera pans back to the second cheetah, which is still being watched by the rest of the warthog family.
Sensibly, this cheetah is not inclined to get into any further dispute with the hogs. As they look on, the cheetah returns its attention to their freshly killed kin and gets ready to finally enjoy its meal.
Tactical retreat
It may come as a surprise to some readers to see the cheetah being chased by a warthog. However, the phenomenon is not that unusual.
Cheetahs have sacrificed bulk and brute strength in favour of speed. As a result, they are the most timid of the large predators.
Not only are they occasionally forced to retreat by potential prey, but they are also the most likely predator to lose their kills to other predators or scavengers. They seem to realise that it is better to lose a meal than suffer the consequences of an injury.
However, even lions sometimes retreat when opponents outnumber and outmuscle them.
It is not so much a matter of cowardice but rather one of self-preservation.
