Have you seen this footage of a wildebeest escaping lions? It’s an incredible sight to behold!
The wildebeest, also known as gnu, are large antelope that can weigh up to 600 pounds and reach 8 feet tall. Their name originates from Dutch settlers in South Africa; it means “wild beast.” Follow along as we explore an exciting video that shows what makes these beasts so wild!
What happens when a wildebeest dropkicks a lion? Read on to find out!
Wildebeest: The Brave Survivor
This amazing video shows a wildebeest making a daring run for its life. A pride of lions is ready to make the beast into lunch, but they’ll have to catch up first!
Wildebeest have impressive speed and agility, which help them to evade predators. And lions are the primary predators of these animals. They’re usually successful at making the kill, but this wildebeest is extra fierce and determined to get away!
A few of the lionesses in the video attempt to pounce on the wildebeest but fail miserably! The wildebeest leaps high into the air, the tips of its hooves scraping the hungry lion’s mouth.
The leap over the lions is insane to see! Thankfully the video does a great slow-motion replay.
You would think that leaping would slow a 600-pound animal down. But not if you’re this wildebeest! It doesn’t miss a step. After landing on its feet, the agile beast resumes super speed and heads straight for the watering hole.
Wildebeests can run up to 50 mph, comparable to a lion’s speed. And moving around is what they do best. These animals spend most of their lives on the go!
After only 10 minutes after birth, calves can already start running. The majority of wildebeest born arrive within the same 2- to 3-week calving season. And for millennia, wildebeests have constantly been migrating along a 500-mile loop in search of food and shelter.
Here are some more fun facts about these amazing animals:
- Wildebeests migrate in herds of up to one million animals!
- A group of wildebeest is called a “confusion.”
- They can run 50 mph for short distances.
Another fun fact about wildebeest is that they are very social animals. They often formed large herds and grazed to protect themselves from predators. However, it doesn’t always work, as you’ll see in the video!
The Cunning Lionesses
©Yogiee/Shutterstock.com
This incredible wildlife footage happens during the day. That means it’s probably taking place on a cooler day.
Lions usually hunt at night. But on cooler days, these majestic beasts can be seen prowling around the waterholes in search of their prey. Zebras, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and crocodiles are just some animals that can become a part of a lion’s meal.
This footage captures the action somewhere in the middle of things. The lions have already given away their positions. Lions are masterful hunters who stay hidden in grassy areas until their unsuspecting target gets close enough for them to attack.
The video shows six lionesses out in the open, representing a group known as a pride. These prides can contain up to fifteen members, and the lionesses are usually the main hunters.
Witness the Incredible Power of Nature: Wildebeest’s Daring Escape
This incredible footage shows the wildebeest’s impressive agility and stamina, as well as the lions’ cunning. It’s the perfect video to watch if you need a reminder of the incredible power of nature. Make sure you watch it; you won’t regret it!
Who knows, you may even gain a newfound appreciation for wildebeests! Enjoy the video below.
How Likely Is a Wildebeest to Get the Better of a Lion?
It depends on a number of factors. Such as speed, for starters. Both lions and wildebeest are capable of reaching a maximum speed of 80 mph. However, the wildebeest is capable of maintaining it for longer, compared to the apex predator.
And in spite of their rather laidback demeanour, wildebeests are actually pretty powerful. They are also capable of weighing as much as lions if not more (male wildebeests weigh between 400 – 550 lbs, while male lions weigh between 330 – 550 lbs) and outweighing lionesses (which weigh between 265 – 395 lbs).
And while weight might not account for much against a hungry pride of cunning lionesses or a ravenous lion, wildebeest also come with muscles which have an efficiency of 62.6% and impressive athleticism as seen by the ease with which the wildebeest in the video sprang over the heads of its feline hunters.
There are also those horns too which can deal serious damage to lions and leopards alike.
As a matter of fact, there has been an instance of one wildebeest actually managing to fight off two lionesses and tossing one with its horns.
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