Watch a Kudu Escape a Lion’s Swipe By Just Inches

Outrunning a lioness in the wild is no easy feat, especially when your legs are shorter and less muscular. However, in the video, a kudu shows you how it’s done. And it’s all captured in slow-motion, allowing you to see just how narrowly the kudu escapes!

Watch the Footage Below

What Is a Kudu?

The kudu species is made up of both greater kudus and lesser kudus. Both of these mammals have striped and spotted bodies and distinctive white hair markings on their faces between their eyes. They may have rusty, grayish-brown, or bluish-gray coats. Kudus are hunted not just by lions but also by humans as they use their hides, horns, and meat. But they’re speedy creatures, able to reach up to 61.5 miles per hour! These antelopes are herbivores, enjoying a range of plants and fruits.

How Do Kudus Defend Themselves?

Kudus have several defenses they rely on to keep safe from predators. Their coats, for instance, help them camouflage. If they’re startled by a nearby predator, they freeze. By standing still, they are virtually invisible. However, if they are caught in a chase, they rely on their speed to help them get away from the threat as fast as possible. Although equipped with horns, male kudus are rarely aggressive, even during courtship season. However, they do engage in sparring contests. Even then, neither inflicts serious injury upon the other.

Kudu Narrowly Escapes Lioness!

When the video starts, you see a kudu running full speed toward the person filming. It’s traversing tall grasses, takes a leap, and changes direction, the only thing on its mind being survival. What you don’t see during those first few seconds is that a lioness spots it and starts going after it as it passes. The video moves into slow motion, allowing you to appreciate the white stripes on the kudu’s body as it runs for its life. The lioness is massive and muscular and from this angle, it seems it’s game over for the kudu.

The lioness looks over at it, paw in mid-air but the kudu takes another leap, advancing farther and leaving the lioness without the advantage. But the lioness is an apex predator. She’s not about to let a kudu escape. She lunges forward, both her front paws outstretched, and manages to barely cup the kudu’s behind mid-run. The lioness’ mouth is open and she’s ready to take a bite. But that grip doesn’t cut it. The kudu manages to keep its speedy pace. The people in the background watching this unfold in real life giggle as the kudu runs off unscathed.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com