A Roadside Rollabout
This delightfully bizarre sighting captured by game ranger Gabe Harmer right on the edge of a sandy road in Kruger National Park. Gabe stopped his vehicle as soon as he spotted a leopard engaged in some interesting behaviour.
The big cat was rolling, wriggling, and flopping gleefully in a patch of small bushes. In between the rolls, it would stretch out dramatically, kick its feet in the air, and thrash back and forth like it was having the time of its life.
Every so often, the leopard would jolt upright, and twitch its ears at a sound or imaginary disturbance. This would only last for a few seconds, and then it would dive right back into its botanical bliss.
This unique moment was what could only be described as an ecstatic moment, and was quite hilarious to watch! The leopard was behaving how you’d expect from your house cat, not Africa’s stealthiest predator!
Eventually, after about a minute of rolling about, the leopard decided that its itch had been scratched. It lazily got up and sauntered away into the sunset.
Is Wild Catnip a Thing?
While “wild catnip” might be the perfect nickname for what this leopard encountered, the plant it’s enjoying likely isn’t Nepeta cataria (true catnip). Unfortunately for this leopard, true catnip is native to Europe and parts of Asia, not Africa.
However, several African plants produce similar chemical compounds that could trigger playful or euphoric behaviour in cats. Scientists believe the key ingredient in catnip-like reactions is nepetalactone, which binds to receptors in a cat’s nose and induces a state of sensory overload that resembles feline ecstasy.
It’s possible that this leopard found a patch of strongly scented herbs or shrubs that could have produced similar effects. While the exact plant that triggered this behaviour isn’t confirmed, it clearly had an intoxicating effect on the leopard, much like true catnip does on domestic cats.
When Predators Play
Leopards are typically solitary and serious animals, constantly alert for threats or prey, but even apex predators need to let loose once in a while. This leopard’s behaviour, including rolling, playing, or rubbing on strong-smelling plants may serve multiple purposes.
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Potential reasons include marking its scent, getting rid of unwanted parasites, scratching an itch, or simply for stimulation and enjoyment. Regardless of why the leopard was rolling about, watching it lose itself in a moment of pure joy is a rare and heartwarming experience!
This sighting is one of those rare moments where we’re reminded that wild cats, like domestic ones, sometimes just want to roll around and enjoy the moment. It offers a glimpse into the more playful, unexpected side of wild animal behaviour, one that’s often hidden behind the usual scenes of hunting or territorial disputes.
In a world where we often focus on the drama of predator and prey, it’s refreshing to witness a simple, carefree moment of feline happiness. Nature always has the ability to surprise, even with its fiercest residents.