纪录片《我们的地球》 第344期 广袤草原(9)（在线收听）

With summer drawing to a close, the race to stock up is on.

夏天即将结束，储备食物的竞赛已然打响。

Soon, the grass will wither, and this opportunity will have gone.

草很快就会枯萎，屯食良机转瞬即逝。

As the dry season takes hold, food becomes increasingly thin on the ground.

到了旱季，地面的食物愈发稀缺。

Now, only the most specialised predators on the plains can make a living.

只有在真正身怀绝技的草原捕猎者才能维持生活。

She may be spotted like a cheetah, but this cat is no sprinter.

她虽然形似猎豹，但这只猫并非短跑能手。

Instead, she has extra-long legs which give her a high vantage point.

相反，修长的四肢给予她独特的猎捕优势。

But a serval cat's main weapon are enormous radar ears.

不过薮猫最主要的武器是她雷达般的双耳。

They help her pinpoint prey hiding in the grass.

能精确定位草丛中猎物的藏身之处。

But the prey she seeks are canny. Southern vlei rats.

可是她的猎物十分机警。非洲沟齿沼鼠。

They know that any sustained movement can give them away.

他们知道持续移动会暴露行踪。

So they move in short bursts.

于是选择短距离爆冲。

But even the slightest rustle will give her a clue.

但是最细微的窸窣声也会被薮猫察觉。

Warm. Warmer. Missed.

快找到了。更接近了。没抓到。

In better times, she could catch 10 a day,

形势好的时候，她一天能抓十只，

but now, with so few rodents around, she will have to go hungry.

但现在啮齿动物数量极少，她只能挨饿了。