Lioness Tries Tackling a Baby Giraffe but Gives Up When Its Mother Turns On a Dime to Defend

A proud lioness may be easily considered a mother found in nature you don’t want to mess with. However, maybe we should see just how protective mama giraffes can be! The short clip below gives us an opportunity to watch exactly that. First, we’re shown a lioness on the prowl, sizing up a baby giraffe. Given its size, she should be able to tackle it with no issues. However, she forgot to factor in how upset that would make the baby’s mother, who promptly turns around at the first sign of danger. The instant attention and aggressive display are enough to make the hungry lion think twice about this meal ticket. Scroll on to see just how fast the tables are turned in this savanna showdown!

See the Power of a Staredown

How Strong Are Giraffes?

Although they might look like bizarre or delicate creatures, giraffes are deceptively tough! As tree-browsing herbivores, they may not have sharp teeth or claws. However, they have immense muscles throughout their body and can sprint at speeds of up to 35 MPH. This surprisingly strong physique is actually necessary for these critters to support their unique bodies. As for being able to protect themselves, giraffes pack a mean kick. The sheer force of one blow from a provoked giraffe is truly strong enough to kill a lion. It makes sense why these otherwise courageous hunters would fear the consequences of messing with a giraffe.

Although not related to fighting off predators, giraffes also boast a fighting skill that’s backed by their strong anatomy. Normally used by male giraffes, an attack using the strength of their neck is often used in dominance displays. Not unlike how male deer ram each other to prove who’s the strongest, male giraffes swipe at each other to show off their power. Even the odd structures found on giraffes that look like horns, called ossicones, play a part in these battles. While not exactly antlers, they still prove to be formidable weapons when dictating the top giraffe in a herd!

Are Lions Good at Making Strategies?

Lions are incredibly adaptive hunters, and since lionesses spend a great deal of time hunting, they get plenty of practice. These big cats are renowned for their problem-solving ability, and their predatory genius is hard to top. Although lions don’t always have the most successful hunts, they still manage to feed an entire pride at the end of the day. That kind of perseverance is uncommon and says a lot for the determination that lions embody. Known for using a combination of stalking, flanking, and tiring their prey out, these kings and queens of the African wilds are tactical pros!