In Nature, it is important to know your place in the pecking order. In this footage, predator and prey engage in an unusual standoff.
Justin Van Breda submitted this peculiar footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed the interaction while on a game drive in South Africa.
Predator and “prey”
We’re greeted with a strange sight as we join Justin on his game drive. On the right, we see a small herd of giraffes.
It becomes somewhat weird when we note that, lying just metres away on the left, is a leopard. Quite how they came to find themselves in this situation is unclear.
Too big to bother
Obviously, it is not every day that you see a predator and what is normally regarded as a prey species situated so close together.
However, there is more to the sighting than meets the eye. First and foremost, adult giraffes are way too big for even a large male leopard to consider hunting. And, it is apparent that the giraffes know this.
Never Miss A Viral Safari Video
Strange sightings, like this encounter between giraffes and a leopard, are popular with our members. To be among the first to see our latest sighting videos, join our exclusive alert list. Click the button below to join the WhatsApp chat right now and never miss another thrilling moment.
Don’t come too close!
Nevertheless, and perhaps because it is such an unusual situation, both animals are clearly interested in the other.
In fact, so much so that the male giraffe actually walks towards the leopard for a closer look. However, as it does so, the leopard snarls, warning it not to get too close.
Don’t tell me what to do!
Amusingly, the giraffe ignores the leopard’s warning. As it gets even closer, it is clear the world’s tallest animal doesn’t feel threatened in the least.
The female giraffes, however, aren’t so sure. While they don’t run, they’re content to watch proceedings from a distance.
First to flinch
After checking each other out for a few moments, surprisingly, it is the leopard that is first to flinch. That said, leopards are secretive by nature, so perhaps it is feeling too exposed.
Even as the cat moves, the giraffes stand their ground and continue watching it closely. Although unthreatened, the mere scent of a predator means they’re taking no chances.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Sauntering to safety
As for the leopard, although it is uncomfortable with the attention, it doesn’t run in the opposite direction.
Instead, it almost casually saunters past the towering giraffe, albeit at a safe distance. Perhaps it knows that a single giraffe kick could kill it.
Use of comfort zones
As it passes the first two females, their only reaction is to blink their doe eyes as they watch. This is a great example of animals feeling safe within their comfort zone.
A comfort zone is an area around an animal, relative to another species, within which it feels safe.
It is only when the predator passes the first two and heads towards the third that we see a reaction.
As soon as the leopard enters that animals zone of comfort and is obscured the fallen tree, the giraffe turns and runs to re-establish the invisible boundary.
When watching wildlife, it pays to understand these behaviours to enhance your appreciation of peculiar sightings like this one.