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Leopard Scales A Tree To Keep A Hyena From Eating Its Meal

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Author Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

Leopard scales a tree to keep a hyena from stealing tis meal.

Leopards are among the most fascinating creatures in the wild. Their ability to adapt and their keen intelligence make them formidable hunters in their natural habitat. A recent video that surfaced shows a leopard scaling a tree to keep a hyena from eating its freshly caught meal. Let’s find out more about the nature of these big cats and how this video came to be.

The Leopard’s Habitat

leopard climbing
A female leopard rests in a tree far above the ground as the morning rays bathe her colorful coat. Image by bdivelbissphoto cia depositphotos.com

Leopards are highly adaptable cats, found in a variety of habitats ranging from dense forests to semi-arid regions. They thrive in diverse environments across Africa and Asia, from savannas to mountains.

Stealthy Predators

leopard
Leopard, panthera pardus, Adult standing in Tree, with a Kill, Moremi Reserve, Okavango Delta in Botswana. Image by slowmotiongli via depositphotos.com

Leopards are expert stalkers, relying on their camouflage – yellow coats with black and brown rosettes – and stealth to approach their prey unnoticed. They possess incredible agility and can silently maneuver through dense vegetation, making them elusive and deadly hunters.

Hunting Techniques

LEOPARD panthera pardus, 4 MONTH OLD CUB IN A TREE, NAMIBIA. Image by slowmotiongli via depositphotos.com

When hunting, leopards combine patience, strategy, and lightning-fast reflexes. They often ambush their prey, leaping from concealed positions with remarkable speed and precision. Their powerful jaws and retractable claws ensure a swift and lethal attack.

Encounter with Hyenas

leopard in tree
A leopard climbs the tree when he feels danger. Image via Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A recent video captured a fascinating encounter between a leopard and a hyena. In the video, the leopard is seen lying in a tree above its freshly killed prey when suddenly a hyena appears and whimpers, eyeing the potential meal. The leopard remains calm, jumps off of the tree, grabs its prey, and scales up a steep trunk of a tree.

Click to Watch the Video

Conclusion

A female leopard takes a nap while it cub licks and grooms its mother in Sabi Sands Game Reserve in greater Kruger National Park, South Africa.
A female leopard takes a nap while it cub licks and grooms its mother in Sabi Sands Game Reserve in greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Image by EEI_Tony via Depositphotos

Leopards are not only skilled hunters but also cunning strategists, capable of making split-second decisions to outsmart their competitors. The encounter with the hyenas highlights the remarkable instincts and quick thinking that enable leopards to thrive in their challenging environment. I hope you enjoyed reading about the leopard that scaled a tree to keep a hyena from eating its meal. To read more stories like this, check out the articles below:

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