This female leopard gets caught in a sticky situation while hunting through some mud — a giant hippo right underfoot! Can she escape unscathed and snag a meal before nightfall?
Watch the Sighting:
In the heart of Mala Mala Game Reserve, Mike Kirkman and Pieter van Wyke witnessed a heart-stopping encounter as they followed a female leopard on its evening hunt. As the watering holes were drying up this time of year, she used the opportunity to hunt some catfish caught in the mud.
The encounter began with the leopardess making her way through the thick mud midday. She must have been desperately hungry, as it is unusual for leopards to hunt in peak heat.
While this female leopard was brave enough to face the heat, she didn’t account for any other animals who may have sought to avoid it by hiding in the mud…
An Unpleasant Surprise
Mike and Pieter watched as the leopardess struggled to make her way through the sludge. Step by step, she moved forward, her paws sinking deeper with every move.
With her attention laser-focused on her footing, she didn’t notice the mud shifting unnaturally in front of her. Then, in an instant, it erupted!
A massive hippo’s head emerged like a creature from a nightmare, glaring straight at her! The eyes of the female leopard bulged as she realized what slumbering giant she had awoken beneath her.
The hippo made a threatening lunge towards the leopardess who was now bolting away from the scene, forced to abandon her hunt. Mike and Pieter couldn’t believe how well the hippo had camouflaged in the mud!
A Second Attempt
Later that night, the female returned to the sight, her hunger proving stronger than her fear. Luckily for her, nighttime is also the time when hippos will take advantage of the cool air to graze and forage outside of their muddy abodes.
She cautiously stepped over the mud, now more aware than ever of a potential threat beneath her feet, but this time, her hunt proved successful. The leopardess snatched up a struggling catfish caught in the mud, and step by step, made her way out of the mud to enjoy her dinner.
Masters of Camouflage
Hippos and leopards are both known for their ability to blend in well with their environment.
With their greyish colouring, hippos match the colour of mud almost perfectly. Additionally, by keeping their bodies below the surface of the water or mud, they can easily remain hidden from unsuspecting trespassers.
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Leopards, on the other hand, use a different technique. Their spots, known as rosettes, allow them to camouflage in a variety of environments, which is essential for stalking and avoiding detection of prey.
The density and patterning of a leopard’s coat can vary among both individuals and subspecies, helping them to camouflage in specific ecosystems. For example, less spots are more common in arid environments like the Savannah.
Lessons from Nature’s Unexpected Encounters
This encounter highlights the importance of camouflage and demonstrates that in the harsh wilderness, it is sometimes worth taking a major risk to secure a food source because you never know how long it will be between meals.