When we think of leopards, we normally imagine a lithe, purposeful creature whose every move seems calculated. However, as this video shows, they can be clumsy too.
Jaun Slabbert submitted this amusing footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive in the northern parts of South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
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An awkward angle
As Jaun’s video begins, we see a leopard standing high up in the branches of a tree. However, as it is facing away from the camera, it is difficult to make out what it is doing.
Leopards are very comfortable in trees, using them as both a place to rest safely and scan for prey. It is also common practice for them to drag prey up trees to prevent theft by scavengers.
Oops!
Moments later, the situation becomes clear when something drops from the tree. It is the body of a scrub hare that the young leopard had killed earlier.
Leopards have a very diverse carnivorous diet, eating everything from termites to fish, antelope to carrion. They are renowned as ambush hunters, using their camouflaged coats to stalk close to prey before pouncing.
Quick as a flash
The hare has barely hit the ground before the leopard starts to descend the tree after it. It is an amazing sight to see it run headfirst down the trunk.
Subsequently, the leopard lands next to its kill and snatches it in its jaws. Hopefully, next time it won’t be so clumsy with its precious meal.
To be on the safe side in case any scavengers are lurking, the leopard climbs the tree and prepares to enjoy its meal.
Second time lucky?
Later, we see the leopard back up the tree, attempting to drape the hair over a branch. However, since the animal is so small, it struggles to balance it correctly.
Consequently, we can almost feel the leopard’s embarrassment when the hare again falls from the tree. So much for being a cool cat!
As awkward as it might be for the leopard, though, it does allow us to once again marvel at its grace as it quickly descends to retrieve it.
Having secured its prey, we can only wonder what the leopard will do next. Surely it’s not going to try the same thing a third time..?
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Third time’s a charm?
As it happens, that is exactly what the leopard does. This time, though, we’re treated to the sight of it going up the tree.
Leopards have an incredible power-to-weight ratio and, with short legs and clawed paws, they can drag carcasses exceeding their own weight high into trees.
Accordingly, the cat is soon back where it started. But has it learnt its lesson?
That was close!
Having twice failed, the leopard tries to place the hare in a new position.
However, it still struggles to find the perfect balance to stop it from falling…
Thankfully, though, it manages to dig its claws into the hare before it falls yet again. That was close.
As Jaun’s video ends, the leopard carefully pulls the carcass back until it is balanced. One can’t help but wonder if it would’ve been better off just eating it on the ground.