While wildlife fights over prey are no unique occurrence, there are some species you won’t peg together to see an epic battle for food.
Unsplash/Jon Milligan
Latest Sightings has posted video footage of an altercation between a hyena and a lizard that will make you do a double-take.
Nicola Marneweck, a young ecology student, has witnessed and captured the magnificent sight of a lizard, a Nile monitor, making its way to the carcass of a zebra for a tasty snack. When he saunters over to the feast, a hyena appears to drag the prey away from the lizard.
You might think the lizard, with its much smaller stature and relatively less aggressive behavioural traits, would accept defeat, but the footage indicated otherwise. The lizard visibly slaps the hyena repeatedly, one of which made contact with its face.
Marneweck comments on this determined lizard and goes into detail about this reptilian under-dog:
“I was so surprised to see the determination of the Nile monitor challenging a very possessive hyena. At first, I could not believe my eyes or ears when the monitor smacked its tail against the bones of the carcass to intimidate the hyena.
Letting it know it was not backing down. Luckily, I got to see the monitor come back again for another mouthful. This time, it smacked the hyena in the face!”
The hyena continues to drag the body away from the lizard, but the lizard follows to regain dominion over the zebra carcass. Eventually, it gave up and let the predator take the carcass away.
You can watch the full video of this mind-blowing encounter below:
ALSO READ: Lion pride encounters powerful rhino during safari
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
