The behavior you described of the leopard rubbing against a tree is known as “tree marking” or “scent marking.” Leopards, like many other big cats, engage in this behavior to leave their scent and visual marks on the tree. By doing so, they communicate their presence to other leopards and potentially deter rival individuals from entering their territory.
While it may appear similar to challenges or social media trends, the leopard’s tree marking behavior is a natural instinct rather than an intentional imitation of the famous tiger photograph. The leopard is not aware of the previous photograph or trying to replicate it for social media purposes.
The particular tree chosen by the leopard may have several factors that make it appealing for marking. Large trees or prominent objects in the landscape often attract wildlife attention, and animals tend to mark such visible objects more frequently. Scientists refer to this phenomenon as a biological signaling field.
In the “Land of the Leopard” national park, researchers have installed around 400 camera traps, which capture valuable photos and videos of rare animals. These camera traps provide a non-intrusive way to study the behavior of the park’s inhabitants, allowing scientists to gather data without disturbing the wildlife.
