A leopard’s rosette-patterned coat is one of a few superpowers in its arsenal. However, a sneaky bystander alerts its intended target to its presence.
Deon Kelbrick submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive for Nkhoro Bush Lodge, in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Without cover
As the video begins, we join the action to witness an incredible sight. While a pair of impala rams graze in the near distance, a leopard flattens itself against the ground.
Making the sight all the more amazing, the leopard has chosen to stalk the antelope without cover. This is despite there being dense vegetation nearby.
Predator vigilance
Instead, the leopard is watching the impala’s behaviour to shape its hunting strategy. While grazing, antelope typically gather food for a few moments before raising their heads to scan for threats. Researchers call this predator vigilance.
Accordingly, only when the antelopes graze does the predator inch forward, using its distinctive ‘leopard crawl’. Additionally, it is counting on the disruptive patterning of its coat to hide its shape from its intended prey.
Tattle tale
However, unbeknownst to the leopard, other creatures are also on the lookout for sneaky predators. Consequently, when the harsh cry of a nearby forktailed drongo is heard, the antelope immediately raise their heads and the leopard freezes in its tracks.
In the image above, the bothersome bird is just visible in the tree behind the impalas. Instead of relying only on alarm signals from their own kind, prey species learn to heed those of other species too.
Something’s not right
Subsequently, one of the rams continues grazing while the other continues to scan its surroundings. Accordingly, the leopard doesn’t move, knowing that to do so now will give away its location.
However, the impala has now noticed the strange lump on the road. And, although the other antelope seems unperturbed and wanders off, it turns around to have a closer look.
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Mounting evidence
On seeing this, the previously unperturbed ram turns to find out what all the fuss is about. At the same time, the bird continues calling, and other impalas turn to investigate.
Still, the leopard lies motionless, hoping against hope that the antelopes decide to ignore the evidence of its presence.
The spots are spotted
However, when the first impala snorts in alarm, the leopard realises that it has been spotted. Although the impala might not recognise what they’re seeing, instinct tells them to err on the side of caution.
Realising that the gig is up, the leopard turns to survey the area behind it. As it does, the look of disappointment on its face is telling.
Better luck next time
As it moves, the leopard removes any doubts the impalas may have had that they were in danger. Although they do not flee, they keep a close eye on their enemy.
Its plans in tatters, the leopard turns back to look at the antelope. In turn, the rams remain tense, ready to flee at a moment’s notice.
Ultimately, the leopard has no choice but to admit its plan has failed. Consequently, it turns and slinks into the adjacent vegetation. The sooner it disappears, the sooner it can plan its next hunt.