Leopard Crushes, Bites Huge Python After Reptile Tries Eating It In Battle Caught On Camera

A huge python was crushed and bitten by a leopard after the reptile tried to eat the animal at the Maasai Mara Triangle Reserve in Kenya. The battle was captured by photographer Mike Welton.

Welton said the python and the leopard were trying to capture an impala. However, the reptile changed its mind and decided to attack the leopard instead. In a series of pictures released by the 28-year-old Canadian photographer Sunday, the snake can be seen trying to squeeze the animal into submission. The leopard, which is caught off guard, leaps into the air but is trapped in the snake’s grip. The big cat, however, manages to escape before crushing and biting the python.

Recalling the incident, the photographer said, “We all had a moment thinking about how terrible it was that we were watching a beautiful leopard get killed. Python constriction is horrible and it was sickening to imagine death from that. The leopard wrestled out and was able to claw, then bite the head of the snake. We heard a very loud crunching sound which was likely the leopard biting the skull of the python.”

“The python may have died or been terribly injured because it continued to flop around slowly. It was probably the closest scrape with death that the leopard has ever been through,” he added.

Welton said he rushed over and witnessed the drama unfold after he heard of a leopard sighting in the area.

“It was a thrill to see the power of a leopard in action while hunting the impala. We waited about 15 minutes, the impala was cautious and the leopard seemingly too patient. The distance grew between the two and I capped my lens thinking it was certainly over. We figured that the python came out to try for the impala, which brought the leopard right into the python's position. It was a huge shock when we spotted it, we were very concerned when the action stopped and the python seemed to be winning. The leopard wrestled out and was able to claw, then bite the head of the snake. I think what makes these images unique is simply how rare the sighting is. Word travelled around the Mara and of 40 or so guides, who are out there all day every day, nobody has seen this happen before,” he said.