Although onlookers might not expect it, even the smallest African predators consider facing off with lions. In the video below, we first see a mighty male lion munching away on his most recent kill. He’s not alone, however, as two jackals have decided to drop in uninvited to see what’s on the menu for today. One of the bold canines thinks it’s a good idea to nip at the lion’s tail as he eats, hoping to distract him. The king of the jungle irritably swats his tail about, deflecting the first few attempts of the little canine. The small thief isn’t that easily deterred, though and continues to pester the huge feline. Smarter than the average critter, the lion realizes he’s being played and decides to pack his food up, likely to eat elsewhere. Continue scrolling to see this humorous lunchtime spectacle in action!
See Why You Shouldn’t Interrupt the King’s Lunchtime
What Do Jackals Eat?
Jackals can often live for up to 12 years in the wild, typically longer when in captivity.
The cunning jackal is an omnivorous animal, relying largely on small animals and plant-based foods as they’re available. They’ll often hunt down critters like rabbits, snakes, and frogs, sometimes vying for slightly larger prey like young antelopes. When they’re in hunting mode, jackals usually form a party of two, much like we saw in the above clip. This partner system gives them an advantage while cornering their quarry, or while scavenging kills from other predators.
In general, more than half of the jackal’s diet is carnivorous – however, they’ll happily gobble up fruit when given the chance. This species also often cohabitates near human settlements, meaning they have the opportunity to rummage through the trash, as well. Although not quite the raccoons of Africa, these resourceful canines will practically eat anything they find to stay fed. Seeing how plentiful they are in the wild, their strategies must be working out brilliantly!
How Loud is a Lion’s Roar?
Lions use a range of vocalizations, but don’t purr in the traditional feline sense.
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As one of the most impressive predators on Earth, the lion has more than a commanding voice. While lions are just shy of being one of the loudest animals in the wild, their terrifying roars can reach sound levels of up to 114 decibels. That’s the same general loudness that a rock concert or chainsaw makes! Given how audible their cries are, it’s no surprise that a lion’s roar can be heard from over 5 miles away. In addition to being an easy way to intimidate other animals, these big cats also use roaring to communicate with each other.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Robert Henry Hurn/Shutterstock.com
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