The large alpha male had believed he was alone as he lay by the water’s edge. However, he failed to notice a tiny set of eyes peering up at him from within the water.
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Of course, when you are a lion, there are few animals which will dare contend with you and so this lion was without a care in the world. That is, until the creature which had been watching him emerged from beneath the water’s surface.
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The set of eyes which had been transfixed on the lion belonged to a tiny terrapin.
The lion immediately noticed the small creature. The little animal did not falter in courage. It stood quite determined and locked eyes with the big cat.
However, the lion remained determined not to let anything disturb his peaceful drinking time.
He set his gaze before him, and drank the cool water with long, purposeful laps of his tongue.
The terrapin came even closer, so close now that its tiny body now brushed against the majestic mane of the lion. It seemed to be set on coming closer to the lion’s mouth.
The lion continued to focus. All the while, the terrapin crept closer.
A surprising encounter
Terrapins, a type of freshwater turtle, have occasionally been observed approaching or even entering the mouths of lions or other large animals. While this behaviour might seem bizarre or dangerous at first glance, it has logical explanations.
One reason terrapins may approach a lion’s mouth is to seek moisture or salt. Lions pant heavily in the heat, especially after hunting or physical exertion, and their saliva contains both moisture and essential salts. During dry seasons, when water and minerals are scarce, terrapins may be drawn to these secretions as a valuable resource.
Another possibility is curiosity or opportunism. Terrapins are opportunistic animals and may investigate anything that appears to offer food, moisture, or other resources. When lions are resting near waterholes, they may not be perceived as immediate threats, allowing terrapins to approach them more closely than usual.
Though such interactions are uncommon, they reveal interesting cross-species dynamics. They also highlight how animals adapt in unique and sometimes surprising ways to their environment.
Lion inspects small creature
Eventually, the lion stood up to again inspect the small creature and more accurately assess what he was up against. The terrapin had disturbed his peace and warranted his attention.
The creature was not like the other animals in the bushveld, which ran when they came near to him. Instead, it brazenly approached him, a David to his Goliath.
As it crept closer, he eventually turned and left the waterhole.
With bravery and persistence, the terrapin had succeeded in scaring him away!
Terrapin chooses second ‘victim’
Nearby, a lioness drank by the water’s edge. As the male lion had, she drank with long laps of her tongue. She seemed not to care about the muddiness of the water. However, from within the murky depths, a shadow formed.
The shadowy shape surfaced to reveal a bony shell. It was the terrapin! This little guy was fearless in its resolve and if it had managed to scare a male lion away, why not a lioness?
Its head surfaced, revealing tiny eyes, which now fixed their gaze on the lioness. She didn’t know yet what she was in for, but somewhere nearby was the male lion, debating whether or not he had the courage to return to the water’s edge for more water.