Warthog Turns Into a Spinning Top to Escape a Biting Leopard

This footage was captured in the Timbavati area of South Africa. Prior to the clip starting, we learned from the video notes that a leopard had been tracking the scent of a warthog for some time. Eventually, the predator found the den site so then it was just a matter of sitting and waiting. The big cat didn’t have to wait for long because soon the warthog emerged and immediately it was grabbed by the leopard. The struggle is violent and intense but mercifully short and the warthog becomes this leopard’s next meal.

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What Do Leopards Normally Eat?

Leopards are apex predators and are found in over 70 countries in Africa, Eurasia, and the Indian subcontinent. In Africa, they are found in South Africa where this clip was captured but are also found in Algeria, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe to name just a few. Leopards are able to catch and overcome a wide range of prey species. It is estimated that at least 90 species make up their diet. However, leopards target different prey in different habitats. For example, in forests, they target medium to large prey that can often include primates. In the African savanna, they target ungulates, African wild cats, and even snakes. Leopards also do not mind pinching prey for other predators if they get an opportunity.

How Do Leopards Normally Hunt?

Leopards hunt alone but they usually do this at night. They have excellent eyesight which they use to spot their prey. Most of their attacks are from the ground and their success rate is around 40 percent. They are happy to stalk their prey for long distances and they do this by crouching with their body near to the ground so they cannot be seen. Leopards do not like long chases. They would prefer to get close enough to the prey to be able to ambush them with a quick lunge. If a leopard has to chase prey for a long distance, its chances of success decrease. You can see the leopard in this clip biting first at the throat of the warthog. This is the way in which leopards asphyxiate most of their large prey. By crushing the windpipe, they stop the prey from being able to breathe. With smaller animals, however, they crush the back of the skull causing instantaneous death. Because leopards lose a lot of their kills to scavengers, they often hide the bodies so that they can come back to them later.