A leopard was given a very prickly reception after it tried to make lunch out of a plucky porcupine . The predator was put firmly in its place after the spiky creature refused to back down during a fight in Kruger National Park , South Africa . Concern for the porcupine - armed with sharp quills - soon faded as it put on an aggressive show and proved more than a match for the confused leopard . Wildlife enthusiast Lisl Moolman , 41 , caught the bizarre battle while out on the road and armed with her camera . Scroll down for video . A leopard had its confidence roundly spiked after being pricked by a plucky porcupine during a fight in Kruger National Park , South Africa . The young leopard faced up to the porcupine after the pair had tumbled out of a bush and into the road . Wildlife enthusiast Lisl Moolman , 41 , caught the bizarre battle while out on the road and armed with her camera . Looking slightly uncertain , the predator sizes up his opponent for dinner , pacing from side to side as he decides the best course of attack . But concern for the porcupine - armed with sharp quills - soon fades as it put on an aggressive show and proved more than a match for the confused leopard . The amusing pictures show the sharp skirmish with the spotted cat . She had been driving along the road when she saw the leopard dart across . Minutes later the leopard and porcupine tumbled out of the bushes and began to fight . Ms Moolman said : 'The porcupine was a worthy opponent . It was quite aggressive and shaking its quills , raising them to appear larger . 'The leopard was certainly inexperienced . Reluctant to give up the fight , the leopard prowls after his plucky opponent , eyeing up his armour for a weak spot . But it seems he has been outwitted by the spikey warrior , who scuttles off after delivery a prickly blow to the leopard 's paw . The battle over , the leopard lies on the ground and gives up as the porcupine walks away unscathed . Ms Moolman stayed with the battling creatures for twenty minutes before the leopard gave up and walked off to lick its wound on its front leg . The porcupine raises its sharp quills in victory . Crested porcupines like the one in the pictures are found across Africa and as far north as Italy . They weigh between 30lb and 60lb and their entire bodies are covered with bristles . 'In such a situation one always expect the worst , but the porcupine put up such a fight that the leopard did n't stand a chance . ' Lisl stayed with the battling creatures for twenty minutes before the leopard gave up and walked off to lick its wound on its front leg . She added : 'This is the first time I saw anything like this and I 've been visiting Kruger and other parks since I was a baby . ' Crested porcupines like the one in the pictures are found across Africa and as far north as Italy . They weigh between 30lb and 60lb and their entire bodies are covered with bristles . They also have a mane of quills running along their heads , napes and backs that can be raised into a crest for protection . If bothered by predators , a crested porcupine stamps its feet , shake its quills and charge rear end first to try to stab its enemy with its crest . They are known to have killed lions , leopards , hyenas and even humans .
Leopard gave up after spiky leopard refused to back down in captivity in Kruger National Park , aged 39 . Wildlife enthusiast Lisl hunter , 41 , caught the bizarre battle while out on the road and armed with her camera . The leopard and porcupine tumbled out of the woods and began to hunt by roadside - assisted by Ms Moolman .