This leopard circled a monitor lizard, trying every angle to get closer. However, the lizard quickly showed it who was boss!
Watch The Sighting:
Monitor lizards are known for their quick movements and intelligence. This one acted swiftly to ward off danger.
The leopard was lying in the grass in the cool of the day when it spied the lizard nearby.
The monitor lizard was fairly well camouflaged. It lay spread out in the long grass, and the leopard believed it would make an easy catch.
Leopard Rises Up To Inspect Lizard
Much as a household cat might do, the leopard rose to its feet with a measure of curiosity. It examined the lizard for a moment, sticking out its paw to assess the situation.
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The lizard didn’t seem to put up much of a fight, and this encouraged the leopard to continue circling the creature with the hope of making a catch.
Leopard Prepares To Make An Ambush
It stalked around the lizard and entered a nearby bush.
This was definitely a leopard on a mission! From the cover of the bushes, the leopard continued to eye the lizard. Leopards are known for their patience and strategy while hunting. They rely on ambush as a hunting tactic.
Hidden in the thick vegetation, this leopard waited for an opportune time to again approach the monitor lizard.
Its head could be seen emerging from the bush, and it quickly stepped out again. The lizard seemed relatively unperturbed. If it was afraid, it didn’t show it.
It had a weapon at its disposal which it was preparing to use if the leopard got too close for its liking.
The leopard kept a watchful eye on its prey as it approached.
Its brilliant coat coloured the bushveld setting, as it walked a final circle around the lizard.
Lizard Uses Tail As A Whip In Its Defense
However, as it neared the large creature, a sharp tail lashed out at it. The startled leopard quickly moved away.
The monitor lizard’s tail is a powerful weapon that the species will use like a whip to defend itself if needed. A strong tail lash by the lizard can cause serious injury to attackers.
The tail also makes up over half of the total body length of these lizards, which helps them escape danger or navigate tough terrain.
Leopard Gives Up Dreams Of An ‘Easy Meal’
Having been whipped by the lizard’s tail, the leopard now paused at a distance, watching the lizard cautiously. It decided that the lizard perhaps wasn’t the ‘easy meal’ it had initially assessed it to be, and, maintaining its distance, walked off into the bushveld.
The gigantic, lounging lizard got the last laugh… though it appeared to remain relatively unmoved by the entire experience. It seemed neither elated by its victory nor fear-filled by the encounter. Rather, its long tail rested in the grass behind it. It seemed it was business as usual for the lizard.