For young predators, one of the most important life lessons is learning what prey not to tackle. In this video, a rather special young lion and his siblings have just such an experience.
Beryl Salottolo submitted this amazing footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed the action on the S100 road in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Lion sighting
We join Beryl at the sighting as she spots a pride of lions walking near the road. It is the Shishangaan Pride, one of several that roam these game-rich plains.
At first glance, the lions look lean and hungry, possibly explaining their being active by day.
Approaching vehicles
Subsequently, we see that the pride has come close to the road. In Kruger, most lions accept vehicles as part of their environment.
Nevertheless, their curious expressions make it clear that they are not interested in the vehicles. Something else has drawn their attention.
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Prepared porcupine
Seconds later, a Cape porcupine scuttles onto the road. For the younger members of the pride, this seems like a possible meal.
Of course, evolution has equipped porcupines to deal with threats like this. The majority of their upper body is covered in long, sharp quills.
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A cautious approach
Perhaps taking their lead from the more experienced adults, the youngsters cautiously circle the porcupine. Working together, they prevent it from leaving the road.
It is at this point that we see the pride’s most unique member. It is a young male lion, Casper, the famed white lion born to the Shishangaan Pride in 2014.
Along with his family, Casper contemplates the prickly proposition before them. When threatened, porcupines turn away from danger, presenting a barricade of spines for predators to overcome.
And, since it might easily be surrounded, it makes intelligent use of one of the vehicles crowded around the sighting.
To Casper’s frustration, the porcupine actually goes under the vehicle.
However, it seems it isn’t comfortable there. But when it emerges, the lions are no closer to figuring out a solution.
Subsequently, whenever the lions get too close, it retreats under the vehicle.
And, when Casper tries to follow, it simply goes further underneath the vehicle, where he can’t follow.
Stymied siblings
Like Casper, his brother seems equally frustrated by the porcupine’s tactics. But no amount of staring will change their quarry’s strategy.
Consequently, we see the entire pride standing alongside the vehicle, seemingly at a loss. One of the lionesses even looks at the driver, as if imploring him to move off.
Wisely, the driver stays put. Consequently, most of the pride decide to head off.
As the video nears its end, only Casper remains, seemingly determined to work this puzzle out.
Eventually, he too concedes. With a long life ahead of him, this lesson is valuable. For predators, some meals aren’t worth the risks involved in securing them.
As of late August 2026, Casper still roams central Kruger. But at 12 years old, his days are numbered. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear all his stories?
