Rhinoceros can be big, fast, and fierce. While they generally aren’t prone to unprovoked attacks, they’re formidable foes when protecting themselves — or other rhinos. So, what’s a herd of elephants to do when it surprises a cranky rhino? Why, put on a disguise, of course!
In this short video shot in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, one clever elephant defuses a potentially violent situation by picking up a branch and pretending to be a rhino too.
Is the elephant really trying to pretend to be a rhino? (And, if so, does the rhino actually believe the disguise?) Is it trying to use the branch as a weapon? Or is it just goofing around? I’m not sure. But one thing I do know is that this is another sign of animal intelligence.
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