This Buffalo Calf Puts a Male Lion in Their Place

key point:

• This video follows a buffalo calf defending itself against a male lion.
• Lions use a number of methods to hunt their prey – luring is one of them.
• In this video, the roles of predator and prey appear to have been reversed.

There are enough plot twists in this short to make for a great novel. Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy? How will it end?

It was filmed in Africa’s famous Kruger National Park and has already had over a million views.

So, this is where the story goes!

buffalo calf and lion

At first glance, this looks like a typical lion hunting buffalo situation. Moments later, you can see that the baby buffalo is actually the same baby buffalo that was chasing the lion. how so?

The roles of predator and prey seem to have been reversed here! We know from the notes that the calves have the instinct to fight to the last. The lion just stood and stared at the approaching calf, trying to send the lion away. The lion stepped back a little, then turned back to stare at the calf.

We then learned that this is a tactic used by lions to lure calves away from the herd. Once a calf is away from the adult animals (and their powerful kicks and sharp horns), it becomes an easier target for lions.

But just when we started to feel sorry for the calf and thought he had fallen for the lion’s tricks, we learned that the lion was full and in no mood to kill. The lion was just playing with the calf and eventually walked away unscathed!

Is it normal for calves to show aggression towards predators?

No, this is not normal behavior. However, the answer is not that simple. There are many reasons why a calf might exhibit aggressive behavior. This could be out of fear, learning, or a hormonal state. In fact, aggressive behavior is usually only seen in bulls and is very rare in cows and calves.

Kicking is the cow’s primary defense and is common in heifers. In fact, beef cattle are generally not bred to be tame or to be handled. This breed of cattle is one of the more aggressive types, but aggression is not common.

lion looking for prey

Lions use many methods to hunt their prey – luring is just one of them. Besides buffalo, they also hunted antelope, zebra and warthog. In addition, female lions hunt more often than male lions.

A classic lion hunting method is stalking – very similar to the method used by domestic cats. When lions stalk their prey, they hide for as long as possible (usually in dense grass).

Lionesses are better at this because they are slimmer and easier to hide than larger males. Females will work together and will attempt to surround prey while hiding.

Eventually, the hunted animal will notice that they are being stalked and will rest for it when the chase begins.

Lions can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, and because they work in teams, they can often outrun faster animals. Once the animal is caught, they are mauled, with a sharp bite that crushes their necks and paralyzes them.

Male lions do participate in rounding up larger prey. Once an animal is trapped, male lions use their strength and power to overwhelm the trapped animal. Luckily for this little buffalo, the lion in the video is already full!

Next:

• Watch a pride of 18 lions attack rhinos, zebras and buffalo
• Watch a cornered crocodile fight five grown lions
• Watch the world’s boldest crab fight off a curious lion