Leopard Steals Back Its Breakfast From a Hyena and Hides It up a Tree
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The leopard in this astonishing clip could not be more pleased with itself and the hyena could not be more confused! It looks as if the hyena has carelessly left its carcass at the base of a tree for a few minutes – perhaps to take a nap or to find a drink. Ever the opportunist, this clever leopard has spotted the kill and grabs it. Now all it has to do is find somewhere to stash the meal – luckily a tree is conveniently located nearby. Likely, the hyena had stolen the carcass from the leopard so all the big cat is doing is retrieving its property. Meanwhile, the hyena can’t work out how its meal has disappeared into thin air!
What Do Leopards Normally Eat?
Leopards are carnivores who will feed on at least 90 prey species in sub-saharan Africa. Their exact diet varies depending on their particular habitat. For example, leopards living in forests often feed on primates whereas leopards living on savannas often feed on ungulates. They also feed on smaller prey and have been seen hunting porcupines. Leopards will also scavenge food and will try to take prey from other predators if they can. These big cats are not too fussy about the quality of the meat – they have been seen consuming rotting carcasses.
What Do Hyenas Normally Eat?
Hyenas are also carnivores and are skilled and flexible hunters. They use their expertise to hunt medium to large ungulates. This includes animals such as wildebeests, zebra, and impala. They usually kill their own prey but they will also opportunistically scavenge if they get the chance.
Why Do Animals Steal Food?
When an animal steals food from other animals it is called kleptoparasitism. It is a form of scavenging but during scavenging the original predator has usually finished with the carcass! Sometimes, however, animals do not bother waiting for the animal that caught the prey to finish eating it. It is common for hyenas to steal prey from other predators. They can only do this when they act as a pack. A large number of hyenas are able to secure a kill from much larger predators including from leopards and occasionally even from a lion. However, they are more likely to wait for the lion to finish and then consume what is left. Kleptoparasitism is also common amongst insects and birds. It is a way of obtaining nutrition without having to expend energy in catching it and without taking the risk of getting hurt during a hunt.