Watch: Rhino shows lion that 'size matters at the waterhole’

When a small watering hole is occupied by a large rhinoceros, even a mighty lion must wait its turn before approaching for a drink.

The accompanying footage, captured this week at Mala Mala Game Reserve in South Africa, shows a thirsty lion walking toward a watering hole, only to be rebuffed by a rhino.

“Size matters at the waterhole,” Mala Mala stated via X.

Size matters at the waterhole.
by our guest @barryrachwildlife#nature #wildlife #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/D1Ju7GZHDk

— MalaMala Game Reserve (@mala_mala) January 12, 2024

The wary lion was compelled to circle widely behind the rhino and wait for the larger animal to leave before approaching to sip water.

Mala Mala Game Reserve shares an unfenced border with sprawling Kruger National Park and lies within Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Large animal encounters are fairly common for guests on photo safaris.