Kenya leopard hides on a tree from its prey

Kenya leopard hides on a tree from its prey

They are one of nature's masters of disguise, using their famous spots to blend into their surroundings - but can you spot the predator lurking in this wildlife reserve?

Hidden somewhere in the picture, taken in Kenya's Masai Mara, is a camouflaged leopard, heading towards its dinner.

The photo was taken by German wildlife photographer Ingo Gerlach who admits he was lucky to have spotted the big cat in the first place.

Spot the big cat: Hidden somewhere in the picture, taken in Kenya's Masai Mara, is a camouflaged leopard, heading towards its prey

At first glance, the tree at the centre of the photo appears to have a darker piece of bark running up its tall trunk. 

But a closer look reveals it to be a stealthy leopard, clambering up towards its meal - a tasty impala hanging in the branches. 

Gerlach, 64, said: 'The leopard was jumping up the tree to go and eat its meal. It's a carcass of an impala that's hanging from the tree.

'The leopard was incredibly shy and I had to wait over five hours to take the picture. I was lucky to spot the leopard in the first place, and then even more so to catch it going up the tree.

At first glance, the tree at the centre of the photo appears to have a darker piece of bark running up its tall trunk. But a closer look reveals it to be a stealthy leopard, clambering up towards its meal - a tasty impala hanging in the branches

It comes as adorable pictures showed the incredible patience of a cheetah mum - as three of her excitable cubs tried to use her head as a podium as she rested

Adorable: Animal lover Janice Wei, from the US, captured these stunning images during a trip to Tanzania last month

Her clip shows the young cheetahs vying for their mother's attention by straddling her head and sitting on her backside as she lies down

'Camouflage is extremely important for the leopard. When they go hunting it helps them to stay hidden so their prey - be it gazelles, antelopes, or indeed impalas - only see them very late.'

It comes as adorable pictures showed the incredible patience of a cheetah mum - as three of her excitable cubs tried to use her head as a podium as she rested.

Animal lover Janice Wei captured the stunning footage during a trip to Tanzania last month.

Her clip shows the young cheetahs vying for their mother's attention by straddling her head and sitting on her backside as she lies down.

And while three of the tiny cats joust for position, a well-behaved fourth sits quietly in his mother's bosom looking bewildered by the commotion around it. 

Time out: Four adorable cheetah cubs take a break from tormenting their mother as they sit in the sunshine in Tanzania

while three of the tiny cats joust for position, a well-behaved fourth sits quietly in his mother's bosom looking bewildered by the commotion around it

Affectionate: The mother proved to have incredible patience as her cubs caused mischief and tried to jump on her head

The mother cheetah looked resigned as her cubs repeatedly jumped on top of her and played in the undergrowth

Janice, a computer technologist from California, USA, said: 'The cheetah mother has four cubs and they love to play around together'

 

قالب وردپرس

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: