Now this is a true heavyweight battle…
If you were to bet on this matchup before you watched the shocking video, which animal would you take? Surely the elephant would be favored to win considering its obvious weight advantage, but you could probably get some great long shot odds on the rhinoceros.
Elephants are the largest land animals on the planet, with full grown males weighing up to six tons. They also have an expected lifespan of around 60 to 70 years, which might be helped by their plant diet, considering they are herbivores.
Rhinos, on the other hand, are still massive land mammals, but only weigh in around three tons. These horned beasts are also herbivores, showing that this fight between the two species was most likely over territory rather than for a meal.
The nighttime video was filmed by Susanta Nanda of the Indian Forest Service and picks up right when the elephant and rhino were sizing each other up. For those keeping score at home, if it were a “who weighs more contest,” the elephant would obviously take home the victory.
However, as the famous quote goes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog. Apparently Mark Twain said that, which I did not know until writing this article.
And now I’m also concerned that the famous author was a dogfighter?
Anyways, the elephant and the rhino “square up to square off” and the clash of the titans begins. The big eared animal takes a couple of steps towards the rhinoceros, and though it takes a couple of steps back, it’s only to rev up to charge the elephant.
The rhino puts its head down towards the ground, pointing its horns at its opponent and committing fully to attack mode. Swinging its horns wildly, the rhino does its best to make its small stature (comparative to its challenger), but the elephant easily dodges the offense and turns the attack on the rhino.
The elephant seems to give the rhino multiple opportunities to rethink what it’s doing, almost saying “are you sure you want to do this” as it continues to slowly walk and back up the rhinoceros. However, the rhino just has too much pride, and though it was getting backed up by the elephant, it decides to mount one more charge towards the trunked mammal.
That’s when the elephant takes control of the fight.
In one single, strategic, surgical move, the elephant dips its gargantuan weight down into the rhinoceros, piercing its skin and pinning it into the ground as dust from the battle flies up into the night sky.
The gored rhino manages to escape out from underneath the elephant’s tusks and immediately retreats, leaving the elephant standing victorious. Yet another example of why you don’t ever mess with an elephant.
Watch the unbelievable battle below:
Those who watched the viral fight on Twitter voiced their thoughts below the video:
Rhinos are bullies by nature. Elephants are gentle giants until being threatened.
Never mess with an elephant.
— Gautam Trivedi (@KaptanHindustan) June 8, 2023
The dude thought “aah f*** it, It is worth a shot. I think I can take him”.
— Sreeram Ramamoorthy 🇮🇳 (@jigyasi_forever) June 8, 2023
Don’t mess with the boss lol 😂
— Sammy Fine (@SammyFine10) June 9, 2023
If you ever questioned why are there different weight categories in wrestling/boxing, this is the reason. The Ele just put his weight on the Rhino till the Rhino threw in the towel.
— Raghavendra Singh (@ragusel) June 8, 2023
