The Power of a Lions Claws on This Animal Twice As Large Is Jaw-Dropping

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Many African predators don’t get the credit that they deserve when hunting. Much of the prey that can be found in Africa can be twice as large as the predator hunting them. The immense strength and power that it takes to often singlehandedly take down a large prey is jaw-dropping, to say the least. Let’s not miss a moment like that in the video above!

Viewer discretion is advised: The above video contains graphic footage of a predator violently taking down an animal. Footage and sound may be inappropriate for young viewers or those sensitive to animal violence. 

Lion Hunting in Africa

The YouTube video posted at the top of the blog post brings us to Africa to watch a vicious lion hunt. The MarCar-Enlighten YouTube page was able to share this video with its 75,000 subscribers. To date, the video has received more than 588,000 views. They love to share intense take-downs from predators such as crocodiles, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. 

Zebra Puts Up a Daring Fight

Like a dramatic scene taken from an action movie, a lioness is prowling and on the hunt for food. She has her sights set on two zebra that are just below the hill that she is on. She’s allowing the grass and rocks to be her cover until she is ready to charge down. 

Once she reaches the edge of the hill, she takes off at a burst of speed of up to 50 miles per hour. On her way down, one of the zebras passes her to get away as quickly as possible. The other zebra was not so lucky. The lioness tackles the zebra and locks her massive claws into him. According to the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust, “A fifth toe on the front paw has what is called a dewclaw, which acts like a thumb for holding down prey when eating.” 

This grip allowed the lioness to not only hang on but to rip the zebra up to the point the animal could no longer move. 

What Sounds Do Zebras Make?

Throughout the video above, we heard the chilling sounds of this zebra calling out in pain. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance shares that “Zebras communicate with one another with facial expressions and sounds. They make loud braying or barking sounds and soft snorts and whuffs.”

These vocalizations are for mature zebras who are past the age of 4-5 years old, as per their sexual maturity level. Younger foals are not able to replicate those sounds, and they will use a high-pitched bark to communicate. 

As we can see from the video above, the sounds this zebra was making could have been a plea for help from the other zebra who was with him. However, there is nothing this other zebra could have done. The lioness was in full hunting mode and was willing to do whatever it took to get her meal.