Leopards and giraffes are both animals with spots, but that’s about where the similarities end between them. Most evident in this footage is the amazing size difference that helps to protect giraffes from predation.
Justin van Breda took the footage of this leopard getting on the wrong side of a giraffe herd, and the resulting stand-off between them as the giraffes forced the big cat to consider all of its options.
Leopards might be powerful and dangerous predators in their own right, but against the size and strength of a giraffe, even they have to exercise a healthy amount of caution.
Not So Stealthy After All
When Justin began filming, the leopard had already crouched low to the ground. Out in the open, it was ready to swiftly dart into motion at the slightest sign of attack from the enormous giraffes.
Exactly how it came to be there is unclear. Due to their immense size, most predators wouldn’t hunt adults, and only worry themselves trying to hunt young giraffes which are more manageable.
There didn’t seem to be any calves with this herd, and it’s unlikely a leopard would consider an adult giraffe a viable target. It would be impossible for a leopard to drag a carcass of that size safely into a tree.
Under Investigation
While the leopard tried to make itself look as non-threatening as possible, one of the giraffes came close to keep an eye on it. The others in the background were also watching from a safer distance.
The size difference between these animals is absolutely staggering, and it clearly intimidated the leopard into uncertainty. Although giraffes might not be the most aggressive animals, like all others they will defend themselves if they feel like they are under attack.
A predator in their midst might be enough for them to turn violent if it made any sudden moves, so the leopard wisely decided to stay very still until it had a bit more of a plan.
Unsure What To Do Next
If the leopard had been improbably trying to hunt one of these enormous creatures, then it had failed after being detected. If it had been simply trying to sneak past without being caught then it had also failed.
After a few minutes of consideration, the leopard seemed to decide that the only option it had left was to try and escape without giving the giraffes a reason to trample it beneath their massive hooves.
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Time To Go
The tense stand-off had reached its peak, and if the leopard was going to escape then it was now or never. Giving the giraffes a wide berth, the leopard hurried around the herd for the cover of a larfe bush.
Even as the big cat retreated, the watchful giraffes followed it with their wary eyes to make sure it completely vacated the area. They would likely only relax when they could be sure that it was no longer a potential threat to them, or any young they had nearby.
Seeing a predator cowed into submission like this made for an amazing sighting, and Justin was lucky to have seen the mighty leopard humbled.