Watch the interaction here:
When it muscled in on a lone hyena’s meal, a feisty monitor lizard refused to take no for an answer. Despite being at a massive physical disadvantage, the lizard’s temperament and lashing tail ensured a few tasty morsels.
Nicola Marneweck recorded this peculiar incident at an undisclosed location and sent it to Latest Sightings.
Something smells/tastes good
As her video begins, we see a Nile monitor lizard sauntering towards the seemingly abandoned remains of a zebra.
Like many reptiles, monitors can detect the scent of decay using their tongues — a combination of smelling and tasting the air particles.
I was eating that…
Then, a spotted hyena appears.
Nicola recalled, “Only once the monitor got closer to the carcass did the hyena come to see what was happening. To our surprise, as well as that of the hyena, the monitor was not intimidated by the hyena and instead tried to intimidate it!
Using its long, heavy tail, the lizard lashed out at the hyena, clearly indicating that it is there to stay.
At a safe distance
While still wanting to dominate proceedings, the hyena remains wary of potential whiplashes. Accordingly, it approaches the carcass from the opposite side of the lizard.
Meanwhile, the lizard is stubborn in claiming the carcass and continues to lash ineffectually at the hyena.
Mine!!!
After a while, the lizard pauses to swallow the chunks of flesh. Seeing it preoccupied, the hyena decides to move the carcass away from the pesky intruder.
It is an impressive sight to see how easily it lifts and carries the zebra remains away. The upper body is especially strong for just this reason.
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Still hungry
However, the persistent lizard is not done yet. It follows the hyena and once again, aggressively whips its tail at the hyena.
Showing no fear, it lunges onto the carcass in an effort to intimidate the bemused hyena.
Ineffectual
However, none of its blows reach their target, and the hyena continues feeding.
Still, who likes eating while a leathery tail lashes at them? Not this hyena. Having decided it could do without the obnoxious audience, the hyena once walked off with the carcass.
Leaving the monitor lizard in its tracks — hopefully to rethink its table manners.
Scavengers
While both hyenas and monitor lizards are capable hunters, they are also prone to scavenging when the opportunity arises.
Hyenas have incredibly strong jaws that enable them to tear through even the thickest hides and crush large bones.
Both species also have a keen sense of smell and have tracked carcasses fully submerged in water, according to researchers.
Collectively, scavengers play a vital role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. By removing decaying carrion, they reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.
Additionally, the food that they eat is recycled back into the environment, providing nutrients vital to the growth of plants.
Naturally, those plants are fed on by herbivores that, in turn, are food for predators. This simplistic chain illustrates why it is important that each niche of the food chain and nutrient cycle is well-balanced.