Lions are apex predators.
This means lions are at the top of the food chain in their habitats. They are wild, scary, and huge, but cats will always be cats.
Cats, as we all know, love playing and chasing balls, yarn, or any object they find intriguing.
So imagine giving the great white lion a ball.
Yes. That’s right, a soccer ball to the skilled predator of the wild.
Do you know what will happen?
The majestic lion actually shares 95% of its DNA with cats. In fact, they all come from the Felidae family.
Aside from their resemblance in terms of looks, they also share a love for balls and some other toys.
Meet Triton.
Triton is actually a rare white lion who lives at Johannesburg Zoo.
White lions are not a separate subspecies of lion nor an albino breed, but a rare color variation that occurs because of a recessive gene.
This great lion was born and raised by one of the keepers of the zoo. He loves to sleep, hang out with his mate, Dharma, and play.
The zoo has a program that introduces different objects to lions, to see what items would spark their interest.
One day, some kids from this group threw a few objects inside the enclosure.
To their surprise, Triton only showed interest in the soccer ball. He began playing with it, and he didn’t seem to get tired.
He was completely smitten.
Like cats, he chased it everywhere.
Agnes Maluleke, the trainer who was assigned to the carnivore section, talks about Triton and his love for soccer balls.
After some important information about Triton, Agnes picks up the soccer ball, and shouts, “Come, Triton.”
The majestic lion roars, answering his trainer’s call. He stood up upon seeing the soccer ball.
He knows it’s playtime.
As Agnes throws the ball, the lion jumps towards it, his tail even wagging with excitement.
Lions are social animals, and they also love playing. They have many ways to play and bond with each other.
Playing also helps them practice their hunting skills, and establish dominance hierarchies within the pride.
Some love wrestling, especially cubs.
They also chase each other, pounce, and play with objects they find worthy of their time. In this zoo, Triton found his favorite toy, a soccer ball.
He immediately tried to grab the ball using his front paws, then pushed it. As it goes farther and faster away, the more excited Triton felt.
He would chase, pounce, and even try to bite the ball.
Then, it fell in the water.
This didn’t stop Triton. He jumps after it and pushes the ball back to shore. He didn’t mind getting wet at all.
He was having a great time. All the other lions in the enclosure were looking at him.
Some lions were sleeping, but Triton? He was enjoying his playtime.
“I think all soccer players can come and learn a thing or two from Triton, cause he’s the best soccer player,” said Agnes.
See Triton fall adorably in love with his new soccer ball in the video below!
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