Big Cats Catch Big Fish – Watch a Leopard on a Fishing Expedition

The beautiful leopard is termed the opportunistic hunter of the big cats– they tend to make the most of whatever prey they stumble across. Some other predators, like lions, use up a lot of energy chasing their prey but leopards have a more laid-back approach. They lie in wait in trees or in bushes, where they are perfectly camouflaged.

Then, they ambush their prey which includes deer and warthogs, birds, beetles, rodents, reptiles, and sometimes fish! This has allowed them to avoid intense competition for certain food sources. If one food source is rare, they simply choose another and this partly explains why they are not yet a threatened species. Diet diversity is good for survival!

Leopard Fishing For Lunch

We see that calm and patient approach to hunting displayed in this charming footage. It was captured on a river at the Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana. The leopard manages to coax a fish out of a small cave in a drying part of a seasonal river. This is a young male leopard and will mainly live alone. Leopards reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age and live for about 15 years.

He does not have an easy time catching this catfish, which puts up a brave fight. But, eventually he prevails, and carries his trophy away from the river. It is typical for leopards to take their prey to a quiet place so that they can eat it in peace. This may even be up a tree!

Catfish in Rivers in Africa

There are nearly 3000 different species of catfish. They are found all over the world and are not yet a threatened species. Catfish tend to live towards the bed of rivers where they eat fish, invertebrates and eggs. They are very good at getting information about their surroundings because they have prominent whiskers on their face and an elaborate network of chemical receptors all over their bodies. This individual, however, had found themselves in a tight spot and could not get away!

We do have a word of caution, however, for our intrepid leopard. In Africa, there are several species of electric catfish, especially around the Nile River. They have an ‘electric organ’ which can discharge a shock of up to 450 volts. This is deployed to defend themselves and capture prey. This leopard is lucky that he has not stumbled upon one of these sparky fish!

Next up:

Next Level Leopard Somehow Catches an Eagle

This Young Leopard Hunting Has No Idea He’s The Target

Watch a Leopard Accidentally Hunt a Hippo, and Return Later for a Meal

Up Next:

• Watch a Leopard Make an Incredibly Brave Leap Between Branches to Catch a Monkey
• Watch the Tables Turn on This Leopard After Catching a Baby Warthog
• Watch a Crocodile and Leopard Battle Over Dinner