Watch A ‘Small but Mighty’ Terrapin Fearlessly Expel Lions From Its Home

Continue reading for our analysis...

Key Points

• The African national parks are known for their big game animals but there are plenty of fascinating smaller species there as well.
• Lions drink from a watering hole after a hunt and run into a terrapin.
• The three species of terrapin found most often in the Kruger National Park are the cape terrapins, serrated terrapins, and pan hinged terrapins

You don’t have to be big to be mighty! On the face of it, this looks like amusing and unique footage of a plucky terrapin scaring off a male and female lion from a watering hole. The size difference is huge and the looks on the lions’ faces are hilarious. They just cannot work out what is going on! They carry on drinking, however, until they have had their fill of water. The terrapin does not give up either! It keeps pestering them until they move and is lucky not to get swallowed at one point! So, what is going on here? A quick glance at the video notes reveals all.

Watch a Terrapin Try to Bite a Lion’s Tongue and More Below!

Terrapin Show Down at the Watering Hole

From the video notes, we learn that the footage was filmed at the famous Krugar National Park in South Africa. We also learn that it was captured by a guide at a location on the Sand River. Apparently, the lions had recently caught a zebra foal so the guide expected that they would need to drink before long. He found a location near to a watering hole and waited for them to turn up.

What he did not expect was the interaction with the terrapin! However, this is not just curiosity on the part of the brave little creature. The lions have visible blood on their faces and paws and it is this that probably attracted the terrapin as they entered the water.

Terrapins In Africa

The African national parks are known for their big game animals but there are plenty of fascinating smaller species there as well. The three species of terrapin found most often in the Kruger National Park are the cape terrapins, serrated terrapins, and pan-hinged terrapins although the names of these species vary. Serrated hinged terrapins are often found in lakes and rivers in this area. They can be spotted basking on logs and mud banks but are also seen on the backs of sleeping hippopotami. They eat water snails, and insects as well as plants.

Pan Hinged Terrapins are small with a smooth rounded shell and a plastral hinge. Their skin is a dull grey-brown but their shell is slightly darker. They eat small reptiles, amphibians invertebrates, and birds. The cape terrapin is found in ponds and is also called the African helmeted turtle. They will feed on carrion so it is possible that blood on the lions would have attracted them.

Other Amazing Animal Videos You May Like

In Matheson Bay, New Zealand, a diver, and man’s best friend have a rare encounter with an orca. The diver unsuspectedly happens upon about 4 orcas and quickly retreats. A moment later, however, a black lab is spotted on video. It seems to be retrieving a stick when an unsuspected neighbor approaches.