Cape Leopard vs. African Rock Python

[ultimatium35]

Doesn't seem like the Leopard needed suprises here.

The story goes that the leopard was stalking an impala, and stumbled across a massive python, with both taken by surprise. A fierce and frenzied battle ensued, with both combatants having the upper hand at different times.

Anyway, I guess a Cape Leopard may be at a slight disadvantage compared to a female Leopard of similar size.

Female Leopards have killed Sambar Deer and Kudu adults. They have been documented to kill Pythons quite a bit. They also predate on humans at various times.

So the Cape Leopard could be at a slight disadvantage here.

[dinosauria101]

Nov 10, 2019 7:40:57 GMT 5 ultimatium35 said:

1: Doesn't seem like the Leopard needed suprises here.

The story goes that the leopard was stalking an impala, and stumbled across a massive python, with both taken by surprise. A fierce and frenzied battle ensued, with both combatants having the upper hand at different times.

I was referring to the other account, with the 5 meter python, as an ambush.
That's the account in which the python appears to be at about a ~30 percent mass disadvantage, which seems sufficient for the leopard to win.

[ultimatium35]

Already pointed out that a 5 meter Python and a young female Leopard seems to be at parity.

For the heating part, are you talking about the Leopard catching them at night time? It should be warmed at day time.

It seems Leopards either prevail, or just don't get a meal when fighting the Python. In other words, the Leopard wins more often than not.

In 11 (69%) of the 16 encounters the python was killed, with only four of the pythons managing to escape after being attacked or after being ignored (the fate of one other is unknown). 

www.researchgate.net/publication/303792637_Southern_Rock_Python_Predation_by_carnivores

[dinosauria101]

There appears to be a bit of a miscommunication here. I was referring to the head-on account with a witnessed fight where the python seemed to have a mass disadvantage. As for the 5 meter python, it could not have been warmed but it most likely was, so I think an ambush was most likely.

I have yet to hear an argument that leans towards the leopard at parity.

[ultimatium35]

Even if the Leopard may have used ambush for the first snake, the Leopards have still killed the Constrictors in other fights.

With the Leopard's agility and grappling, the Snake may either die, or this may be a stalemate. The Snake could actually win with an ambush and a quick coil before the Leopard can retaliate.

[dinosauria101]

I suppose stalemate/double death is a reasonable outcome for a fight at parity.
That said, I don't see precision bites and relatively light clawing working well on a same size, healthy, warm, aware constrictor, maybe it's just me though