When a warthog ignored its partner’s caution, it walked straight into a leopard’s ambush. This footage, sent in by Mark Fox, is a textbook example of the stealth, speed, and strength of these remarkable spotted cats.
Watch the video here:
Worried warthog
The video begins by showing a lone female warthog standing on the edge of a riverbed. With her head held high, it is apparent that something is bothering her.
Subsequently, the cameraperson pans the camera to the left. There we see a second warthog shortly before it disappears behind some tall grass.
Still, we can find no reason for the first hog’s alarmed posture. Perhaps it is just keeping an eye on its buddy?
Hidden in not-so-plain sight
As the camera pans back and forth, we scour the scene for any sign of danger. Finally, lying in flat against the ground behind a clump of grass, we see a very distinctive pattern.
LEOPARD ———->
If you look carefully at the bottom right of the image, you will see a leopard crouched in ambush. By this time, the still blissfully ignorant warthog is just metres away.
Ambush sprung
No sooner do we spot the hidden predator than it bursts from its sparse cover. Showing remarkable reflexes, the warthog spins to flee.
However, having managed to stay concealed until its quarry was just metres away, the leopard is soon hot on the squealing pig’s heels.
Leopards can reach speeds of 58–60 km/h (36–37 mph), while warthogs are slightly slower at 30–34 miles per hour (48–55 km/h). However, while the cat is faster, the pig has greater stamina. As such, the leopard needs to catch its prey as soon as possible.
In a blur of motion
In a blur of motion, predator and prey streak across the uneven terrain of the riverbed. The next challenge for the leopard is to get close enough to hook its claws into the terrified pig’s rump.
Nothing short of a miracle will save the warthog now. With the big cat closing in fast, it is just a matter of time.
Then, with a mighty final lunge, the leopard jumps onto the hog. Displaying incredible agility, it simultaneously digs its 3-centimetre claws into its prey before biting into the nape of its neck.
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Rough and tumble
Subsequently, the pairs’ momentum sees them cartwheel across a patch of bare sand. While this softens their landing, it does nothing to save the pig.
As they come to a standstill, the leopard has already shifted its grip, clamping its jaws on the struggling warthog. With its windpipe clamped shut, it will take several minutes for the poor pig to die.
Even as the life drains from its prey, the leopard holds on tightly. Only when all signs of life have been extinguished will it release its stranglehold.
Heavy lifting
Later, although the warthog is dead, the leopard’s work is not yet done. It knows that other carnivores may have heard the commotion and be on their way to investigate.
As such, the leopard must drag the heavy carcass to a safe place. This could be a dense thicket or, as is often the case, up a tree.
Exhausted by all the exertion, the leopard gives us one more glimpse of its raw beauty before melting back into the surrounding landscape.
