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When Clint Saint, owner of Live Life African Safari Getaways, took his guests on a private safari one October afternoon, he never could have predicted the excitement that unfolded during the drive. The vehicle pulled over when the group spotted a leopard in the grass that had its attention locked on something in the grass.
Curiosity Turns into Conflict
Everyone was tense with excitement as they knew the leopard was surely on the hunt. When the vehicle pulled over, one of the guests, Suzie, was able to capture some incredible footage!
Finally, the hidden animal came into view as it made its way through the bushes. It was none other than a huge Rock Python!
After a few tense moments, the battle broke out. The snake whipped its massive body at the leopard, jaws wide open, while the leopard retaliated viciously with its claws.
Clint recounted how shocked everyone was to see these two predators engaged in battle — “Initially, it was a feeling of surprise for everybody as this kind of sighting is just so rare!”
A Deadly Duel
After several exciting minutes of the two titans going head to head, it seemed that the python had gained an advantage. It managed to wrap its body around the leopard and began to constrict.
Just when Clint thought it was game over for the leopard, it squirmed and jumped out of its suffocating coil with extreme agility! The leopard grabbed onto the python’s head, clawing and biting in retaliation.
Victory Comes at a Cost
The battle resumed for a few more moments, but eventually, the python seemed to give up. It wasn’t until later that everyone realized the leopard had done a real number on the python, giving it multiple puncture wounds, especially around its head.
Although the leopard emerged as the victor from this battle, it was left with an injury of its own. One of its front paws was badly hurt which was visible as the leopard held its paw up for a while then eventually limped away from the scene.
This sighting teaches us that even the most skilled predators face challenges that test their strength, agility and resilience.
Crushed in the Coils
African Rock Pythons are non-venomous snakes who kill their prey by constriction. Once they have a good grip on an animal, they slowly tighten their coils every time the victim breaths out, causing them to die from cardiac arrest.
These pythons consume a variety of wild animals including large rodents, monkeys, antelopes, vultures, monitor lizards, fruit bats, and warthogs to name a few. Rock Pythons have also been known to target cubs of lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, but it is extremely uncommon for an adult of this species to be targeted.
Even though the python could digest one of these large mammals, they are usually no match for their claws and teeth. The python from this sighting must have been defending itself from the leopard who chose to pick a fight.
Clint was reminded that day of how thrilling and unpredictable the African wild can be. He reflected that he had never witnessed a sighting so rare throughout his years in the bush “I have never experienced an encounter quite like this before and it was also a first for our guide Oscar!”