The curious leopard might’ve swiped its paws at many lizards before but it definitely didn’t expect the response it got from this monitor lizard.
While the lizard was smaller in stature than the young leopard, the predator never took its tail into account!
Watch The Sighting:
A monitor lizard’s tail is a force to be reckoned with, as this leopard discovered.
Monitor lizard crosses road in front of leopard
Costa explained that they had been out on a beautiful day safari drive when their vehicle came across a monitor lizard in the middle of the road.
Two leopards were nearby and they had their sights set on the lizard. It was evident they hoped the lizard would be their next meal.
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Monitor lizards are large, extremely intelligent lizards, with snake-like tongues. Some of their more prominent features include large claws and a powerful tail.
Their tails are about two-thirds of their body length.
Monitor lizard retaliates with tail strikes
One of the leopards approached the lizard, using its paws to have a go at the lithe reptile. “The lizard knew that it was in trouble and immediately began thrashing its tail around from side to side in order to protect itself,” says Costa.
The tails of monitor lizards can give aggressors a good whipping and this lizard was determined to show the leopard which had dared to confront it who was boss!
Leopard vs monitor lizard: showdown ensues
A showdown between the leopard and the monitor lizard then played out.
Confronting a monitor lizard is not easy even on the best of days. When faced with an attack or threat, a monitor lizard will try to puff itself up as much as possible, making itself appear larger and more threatening. It might hiss and sway side to side.
Then there is its tail swing. This is a powerful weapon of defense and the lizard pulled out all of the stops in defending itself against the predator’s attack.
This particular lizard understood it was fighting for its life. If it was going to go out, it was going to go out with a bang!
A spellbinding moment ensued, in which the leopard finally managed to subdue the lizard.
Says Costa: “The monitor lizard’s tail is a pretty powerful tool however, once the lizard had its back to the leopard, he was able to grab him at the back of the neck and make off into the bushes with his treat.”
Leopard succeeds in overcoming monitor lizard
The lizard had put up an incredible fight and definitely won respect from the spectators, even though eventually losing the fight and being carried off to the side of the road, and out of view.
Seeing the lizard hanging from the leopard’s mouth was a reminder of just how large a monitor lizard can be.
The leopard no doubt enjoyed its feast, away from the prying eyes of spectators. However, its trophy feast hadn’t been without a cost. The leopard possibly nursed some aches and pains following the aggressive counter-attacks of the relentless lizard.
“I’m pretty sure that the monitor lizard did not survive the ordeal but this was an incredible sighting to have witnessed,” says Costa. “Once again, nature has a way to hold you in suspense and play out a multitude of emotions within your soul.”
If anything, Costa learned that a monitor lizard’s tail is more than just a tail. The lizard’s tail is in fact a versatile tool, which is used for swimming, as a rudder; for grasping things; and for navigating rocky outcrops and climbing trees. Then it is its use as a weapon. Costa – and the leopard – discovered what a weapon this is!