For young animals, curiosity is the gateway to important life lessons. In this video, we see various species bravely testing boundaries in a dangerous world.
The footage was sent to Latest Sightings by various contributors from across South Africa.
Watch the video here:
Unusual sighting
We start our journey in an unusual place for Latest Sightings. Underwater, a plucky octopus is putting up a spirited defence against a nosy fish neighbour.
As the fish tries to invade its cave, the octopus lashes out with a tentacle.
Playful bullying
Our next clip takes place in more familiar surroundings. At the beginning, we see a fleeing giraffe. Is it being chased by lions?
As the camera pans, we see that its pursuer is a baby elephant bull. With his ears flared, he is doing his level best to intimidate the larger animal. And, it’s working.
Consequently, the proud little bull trumpets in delight as the giraffe flees.
Of course, this is not a serious altercation but rather an over-enthusiastic youngster burning off excess energy.
Naughty hyena cub
Next, we join hyenas as a cub sneaks out of the new den, intent on returning to the previous site. However, the babysitter is in no mood for games.
Consequently, it chases after the errant cub and, with absolutely no tenderness, picks it up in its powerful jaws.
As the naughty cub is carried back to the den, its sibling looks on. Hopefully, it’ll learn the lesson by observation rather than painful experience.
Water-crazed warthog
In the fourth scene, a stubborn young warthog refuses to make way for a thirsty elephant. At first, the elephant seems stunned by its audacity.
However, it soon regains its composure. Flaring its ears to signal anger, it circles behind the warthog and frightens it off with a loud trumpet.
In no time at all, the elephant gets the drink it’s been craving.
Irresistible instincts
In the following clip, a lion cub attempts to catch Casper, the famous white lion’s tail.
Lion cubs don’t seem able to resist their frequent flicking. Indeed, movement is a key driver of the hunting instinct.
As the cub bites Casper’s tail, the big male snarls a warning. And, when it is ignored, he turns on the cub, sending it running for safety.
In another clip, a trio of cubs stalks their father’s tail. One of the cubs tries pinning it with his little paw.
However, as was the case previously, this tired Dad is in no mood for games.
Predictably, the result is the same. As the male warns it off, the little cub runs back to its siblings.
Mum also fair game for a game
Here, a cub crawls up a fallen tree. Once in position, he drops onto his snoozing mother.
However, unlike the males, her reaction is a lot more tolerant. As the cub instinctively goes for her throat, she barely stirs.
Then again, since lionesses shoulder most of the parental duties, she is probably just too tired to care.
Sibling rivalry
Siblings are the ultimate playmates. In the next clip, we see similarly aged elephant calves at play.
One of the calves tries to get on top of the other. In adult terms, he is trying to assert dominance.
Hilariously, he actually sits on is opponent for a while before chasing after the adults.
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Rhino zoomies
Rhino calves are adorably brave. Here, one follows its mother closely.
Then, when it notices the viewer’s vehicle, it stops as if to warn them to keep their distance.
Subsequently, we see Mum and calf close to a herd of wildebeest.
While Mum grazes, Junior keeps a close eye on the herd. However, it soon abandons its post for a bit of playtime.
After a session of the zoomies, it rounds on the wildebeest. Bewildered by their sudden inclusion in the game, the herd scatters.
Milk bar service denied
In the last clip, a hungry cub wants to feed from its mother.
However, due to her position, the cub cannot get to her teats…
Thinking that feeding time has arrived, the other cubs move in. But Mum doesn’t move to accommodate them.
Instead, she gets up and walks off, leaving her hungry offspring high and dry.
As the video ends, the cubs follow, mewling for a meal. Let’s hope they didn’t have to wait long.
