A kayaker captured a monitor lizard and python entangled in a deadly tug of war where the reptiles ripped at each other’s skin.

Jon Williams was on a kayak fishing trip in Queensland, Australia, on March 8 when nearby rustling bushes alerted him to an epic fight between two animals.

Incredible footage captured the coastal carpet python wrapped around the body and back legs of a lace monitor lizard in a desperate attempt not to be eaten.

Over the course of 20 minutes the lizard bit chunks out of the pythons body before finally managing to grab it by the head and put it out of its misery.

Jon said: “I knew how special it was straight away being able to witness something so rarely seen. I have seen lace monitors and pythons many time in the wild but never in a fight for life like this.

“I heard the bushes rustling so I moved closer to see what it was. I knew straight away that this would be quite the experience because I have kept and bred many species of snakes and lizards for 20 years.

“We beached the kayaks and I climbed the bank to get a better view and that's when we started filming.

“When we found them the snake had already taken a lot of damage but it managed to immobilise the rear legs of the lizard couldn't get away allowing us to watch.

“We spent about 20 minutes being privileged enough to witness the battle taking place.

“I already knew the lace monitor would eventually win and that the snake was just hanging on for dear life when we found them.

“The lace monitor finally got the snake by the head and did a lot of damage. That finally allowed it to free its rear legs and the lizard moved into the thicker grass and bushes to finish his meal off.”