Like all cats, leopards are extremely agile, a key factor in their success as predators. In this video, a young leopard practices its acrobatic skills on its long-suffering family members.
Gareth Nuttal-Smith of MalaMala Game Reserve submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Grooming session
Gareth’s video opens with a scene that all wildlife lovers would love to see. A female leopard and her two sub-adult cubs are resting in the lush grass.
Taking advantage of her cubs’ proximity, the mother grooms one of the cubs. This important ritual cleans her offspring, removes giveaway scents, and strengthens their bond.
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Naughty cub
However, as her rough tongue laps across the cubs’ face, it is apparent that it is not enjoying it. Like a naughty child not wanting to wash, he pulls away.
But, when mum tries to continue, the cub decides it’s time for some drastic action… and a bit of payback.
Copycat
Desperate to put an end to the grooming, the cub launches itself in a mock counterattack. As the cub lifts off, it flies right over Mom’s head.
Then, in midair, the cub clamps its front paws around Mom’s neck. Finally, as it lands, it attempts to bite her throat.
Consequently, the youngster has perfectly, if inadvertently, mimicked the manoeuvres leopards use to subdue prey. Playing along, Mom at first pretends to be overwhelmed.
Counterstrike
However, Mom quickly reasserts her dominance by delivering a playful bite to the boisterous cub.
Realising it has been outwitted and outmuscled, the cub doesn’t push its luck any further.
Not in the mood
Meanwhile, it seems the second cub is not in the mood for its sibling’s rough and tumble. Accordingly, it decides to move off to a quieter place.
As it does so, the first cub notices and decides to shift its attention to the departing sibling.
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Consequently, the departing cub doesn’t see its sibling launch itself right over the infinitely patient mother leopard.
Once again, perfectly imitating an adult in attack mode, the cub sails through the air to tackle the other one.
Meanwhile, Mom’s expression suggests that she’s just about had enough of her energetic youngsters. With the cubs at about a year old, she still has to put up with them for another six months to a year.
Me time
Mercifully, as the first cub clatters into the second, she finally has a few moments to herself.
Quite happy to let the pair take their play-fighting elsewhere, she does what many moms would do with such an opportunity and devotes a moment to self-care.
