Sometimes, for me, it is impossible not to laugh at certain animals. Whether it is a monkey swinging from branch to branch or them wrestling and tumbling outside my room on the grass while some swing in my hammock (yes you read that right), or if it’s a Rhino calf with its over-sized feet and bulky toes stumbling around with its head held high doing circles around its mom, often bounding off with sudden bursts of energy.
Of course, I can not leave out the joy of watching leopard cubs playing with their mom or siblings, jumping from branch to branch (sometimes losing their balance while chasing each other on the tree) or the obvious stalk of a cub trying to surprise its mom who already suspected it as the cub was in clear view…
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Another funny event would be when you spot a warthog from a distance who isn’t accustomed to the vehicles yet and they dart off away from the vehicle, their tail in the air like an aerial and skid around the corner with nothing but dust left behind. This usually has us in hysterics.
For me, an elephant calf may be on the top of my list. They have to be some of the most entertaining young animals to watch. Through play and experimentation, they slowly learn to use their trunk, however, with the trunk being such a dextrous appendage this learning takes a really long time and provides viewers with such entertainment. Often swirling it around in the air mimicking their mother feeding, or thrashing it out of what could be interpreted as frustration as they are unable to pick up a stick with as much ease as the other elephants.
Elephants will use the trunk to drink, where they suck water in and then hold it there before spraying it into their mouths. This requires a fair amount of control and coordination, which the young ones lack, resulting in them planting their whole face in the water trying to get a little drink.
When you are so thirsty for a drink but haven’t mastered the use of the trunk – improvise. An elephant calf plummets headfirst into a water hole to cool off and quench its thirst.
Something that is even better is when the youngster gets a little more confident and attempts to intimidate the vehicle by giving us a warning charge, they raise their head into the air looking down their floppy trunk, with their ears splayed out and run towards the vehicle. Only to rapidly watch the bravery slip away as it kicks up some dust and turns to run back to the safety between its mother’s legs.
When the rest of the herd are standing and feeding often the youngsters end up flopping over onto their side to roll around on the floor, tumbling over each other in what looks like such fun.
An elephant calf rolls around in the sand with another young Elephant while the adults simply just throw sand on themselves.
The uncoordinated struggle of getting up, once it rolled around in the sand.
All in all, there is a method to these elephants calve’s madness and for the Leopard cub’s playful stalk. It has been proven through evolution that this is what they need to do to survive out in the wild, but what is the point of life out here if we can not take joy from their funny behaviour? We all need to laugh and who knows maybe they “laugh” at us too?
What is your funniest animal?
All baby animals are adorable, but the ellie babies do it for me as they are so “brave & strong” I will chase those hoomans away from us mom! Thanks for this beautiful & funny post Jess. Enjoy the day in your paradise
Thank you, Wendy! I agree all young animals are adorable to watch as they learn how to be an adult!
Like you, Jess, definitely the young elephant.
I agree, that trunk is it! However, baby rhinos come a close second……………
I agree!
I agree, rhino calves are high up there on my list!
For me Jess, it is definitely the baby elephants.
the young ellies
Like you, Jess, I Think there are lots of funny encounters with different animals, depending on the situation. I remember a yellow-billed hornbill last year in Londolozi throwing a beagle with long hard wings into the air, again and again, till the hornbill was able to eat it. Of course, it was not funny for the poor victim, but it was definitely funny to watch. Or once I watched warthogs and baboon chasing each other round a lodge area, up and down some steps in the garden area. It was hilarious.
And of course the many sightings of cubs playing, or monkey/ baboon babies playing.
And , of course, young elephants are always very entertaining. One once quarreled a little with a younger sibling and pushed the baby. The baby cried and mummy rushed up to us because she thought we were the culprits. Luckily the guide was able to convince her that we were totally innocent onlookers.
That’s the wonderful thing about the bush: there are always so many surprises and amazing encounters among and with the animals. It makes one a addicted.
The warthog and the baboons chasing each other sounds hilarious! I agree, everyday is different in the bush with a new surprise around each corner!
Of course, baby elephants. But dwarf mongoose can be quite hilarious, too.
For me it’s a draw between young ellies and cubs – watching young cats playfighting is just hilarious.
I’ve observed many funny animal antics, but I have to agree the little elephants are the best. Watching them play in the water, rolling in dirt or “charging “ vehicles, ears flapping, never ceases to make me laugh. Thanks for this dose of laughter in theses videos today.
I’m glad you had a good laugh! I love it when the elephant calves roll around in the mud!
The little elephant is too sweet for words, but I also love the leopard cubs playing with their mothers. Yes Jess I could watch small animals all day long, there is just something about a baby animals that makes me smile.
Yes I agree, watching young animals learn about their world around them can be so entertaining!
Hi Jess, the funniest African animal to me is the widowbird. Its dance to win his lady’s heart is too funny also the high chirping sound. A real spectacle!
That is true, didn’t even think of birds but they can be so entertaining too!
Definitely a “smile” blog!!! We love the antics of baby Ellie’s too!
Elepahnts are 2nd to monkeys sizing up the menu on the various decks!
Eli’s are certainly high up there …but gosh any baby animal/mammal or bird are just magical to watch as they struggle to get a grip on their lives. Loved the videos, photos and the laughs Jess …..thank you for sharing ❤️🙏🏻