This leopard is literally licking its wounds in an attempt to heal its severe injuries following a porcupine fight. Despite being one of the most fearsome predators on the African savannah, this powerful feline is far from invisible.
The video documents a leopard dealing with the painful consequences following a fight with a porcupine. Numerous painful porcupine quills are embedded in its face, paws, and chest. It attempts to remove these quills using its teeth, a task proving almost difficult.
Despite its efforts, it’s only able to remove a fraction of the spikes. We can only imagine the amount of pain it is in as it walks away with a limp, and we’re left wondering if it will ever recover from this spikey situation.
Porcupines, often perceived as slow and harmless, possess an effective defense mechanism: their spikes. When threatened, they raise these quills, which are actually modified hairs, making them appear larger and more intimidating. These quills can easily detach and embed themselves in the flesh of predators, causing severe pain and potential infections.
Screenshot from Leopard Male vs Porcupine. Source: Youtube, Uploaded: Gert de Koker
Leopards are known for their resilience and adaptability, but the severity of such injuries raises concerns about survival.
After the encounter with the porcupine, the leopard instinctively licks its wounds, a natural behavior observed in many wild animals. This action serves multiple purposes: it cleans the wound, helping to remove debris and reduce the risk of infection, and the enzymes in the saliva can promote healing. Additionally, licking can provide a measure of pain relief.
Screenshot from Leopard Male vs Porcupine. Source: Youtube, Uploaded: Gert de Koker