Watch This Fearless Zebra Drop-Kick A Crocodile Who Tried To Make Him Dinner

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: October 23, 2023
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A stealthy crocodile learns a bit more about a zebra’s powerful kicks when it approaches it from behind in this video. Click below to see a determined and aggressive zebra as it walks through a river. It notices the predator and makes it through to the other side where it safely continues its journey — but only after giving the crocodile a moment to remember.

Click The Video Below To See The Entire Footage!

Crocodile learns a painful lesson.

How Do Crocodiles Hunt?

Nile crocodile staying just under the water surface

A

Nile crocodile

sitting just under the water keeping its eyes above the waterline to find prey.

©Mari Swanepoel/Shutterstock.com

Crocodiles use the cover of water to hunt. They keep their heads just above water as they look for unsuspecting prey to get close enough. Some crocodiles may just wait at the water’s edge as mammals like zebras approach and take a drink. Then, when the animal is close enough, they lunge forward, snapping their jaws shut on the animal. They are powerful enough to drag large mammals like wildebeests into the water, killing them both via injury and drowning.

Why Do Zebras Migrate?

Having to cross crocodile-infested waters is just a fact of life for migrating species like zebras and wildebeests. As the seasons change, they have to find a new environment where there is sufficient food and water for their survival. They travel far in search of grasses alongside one another, with many not making it all the way. For a crocodile, their migration is a great feeding time.  

Zebra Drop-Kicks Loser Crocodile

What Do Zebras Eat

When threatened, zebras kick and bite to protect themselves.

©GUDKOV ANDREY/Shutterstock.com

When the video below starts, a large group of zebras and wildebeests is rushing through the water to get to the other side. There are wildebeest calves shuffling along with the adults, which the crocodile is keeping an eye on. It’s well camouflaged in the water in the bottom left of the screen as it waits for a perfect opportunity to lunge forward and attack.

Several zebras make their way out of the water as the wildebeests follow one another in a straight line. The crocodile is completely still for several more moments until something catches its eye. You can see how its head moves over to the left, focusing. A zebra starts walking toward the crocodile but seems to notice its presence and quickly returns to the group.

Just then, captions on the screen explain that the crocodile has just noticed an injured zebra. The crocodile is dangerously close to the zebra in these next moments, just as it approaches the water’s edge. The crocodile has already decided to launch an attack and makes its move in the final moments before the zebra starts to step out of the water. But the zebra is having none of it.

Just as the crocodile’s teeth graze its behind, it launches a counterattack, using both back legs to kick the crocodile, effectively pushing it back toward the water. You can hear the laughter of the person filming who likely thought he was about to watch the zebra get killed but instead, he watched it successfully evade a threat!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

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