Lions vs. buffalo, hero dogs and snakes at home: the science behind the most viral animal videos

Along with baby videos, animal clips are the most shared content on the internet. Some are real and fascinating; others are taken out of context or, increasingly in 2026, generated by artificial intelligence. We’ve picked the most popular ones to explain what’s true and what we can learn from them.

Lions vs. buffalo: who wins?

On the African savanna, the Cape buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals a lion can hunt. It weighs between 500 and 900 kilos, has extremely strong horns and lives in herds that defend their members. Lions usually hunt them as a pride and target young, old or sick animals. That’s why there are genuine videos of a buffalo tossing a lion into the air or a herd rescuing a calf: it’s not the norm, but it happens. Biologists estimate that most lion hunts end in failure.

«This lion picked the wrong opponent»

Hippos, elephants, porcupines and crocodiles also star in these videos. A fun fact: plenty of young lions end up injured by porcupine quills. Nature isn’t a movie with heroes and villains; every species has its own defenses.

Bulls: strength and behavior

Bulls can be very dangerous, especially when they feel threatened or are separated from the herd. They don’t charge because of the color red (they can barely tell red apart), but because of movement. In the countryside, never get between a bull and the herd, or between a cow and her calf.

The dog that protects a child

Dogs, especially herding and guarding breeds like the German shepherd, have a strong instinct to protect «their group». Videos of dogs stepping between a child and danger are usually real and show the bond they form with their family. Even so, experts advise never leaving a young child alone with a dog, however gentle it is, and teaching kids to respect a dog’s space while it eats or sleeps.

The dog that kept staring at the storm drain

Dogs pick up sounds and smells we can’t. There are documented cases of dogs alerting people to kittens or puppies trapped in drains. If your dog keeps fixating on one spot, it’s worth taking a careful look or calling the local fire department or animal rescue.

Dogs who stay by their late owner

Images of dogs at funerals or beside graves move millions of people. Animal behavior science recognizes that dogs show grief-like behavior: they search for the person, eat less and seem listless. If your pet loses a family member, keep their routines steady and give them time and company.

Pythons and snakes as pets

There’s a famous story about a woman who slept next to her python. It stopped eating, and the vet supposedly told her it was «measuring her so it could eat her». It’s an urban legend: snakes stop eating for many reasons, such as shedding or stress, and they don’t «measure» their prey. That said, large snakes need specialist care, are wild animals and aren’t recommended for people without experience or the right permits. In many countries, trade in them is regulated.

Ticks: a real risk

Ticks spread diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, found in northern Mexico and parts of the US, and ehrlichiosis. Check your pets after walks through grassy areas, use the parasite treatments your vet recommends, and if you find a tick on a person, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up with steady pressure and without crushing it.

House centipedes: friend or foe?

The house centipede feeds on cockroaches, spiders and other insects, which is why some people see it as an ally. Its bite is rare and almost always mild. However, the large centipedes found in tropical areas can deliver very painful bites; if someone is bitten, wash the area and see a doctor if there’s a lot of swelling.

Megalodon and the great white shark

Megalodon, the largest shark that ever lived, disappeared around 3.6 million years ago. A study published in 2022 suggests the great white shark may have competed with it for the same prey, although cooling oceans and changes in marine life also played a part.

How to tell if an animal video is real

• Look for the original source (documentaries, wildlife reserves, park rangers).
• Be wary of odd movements or shadows that don’t match (a possible sign of AI).
• Check whether the species actually lives in the place mentioned.

Conclusion

Animals fascinate us because they remind us how incredible nature is. Enjoying their videos with scientific curiosity and respect for their welfare is the best way to share them.

Foto: Kevin Pluck / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) · source