It is extremely difficult to spot this leopard!

The predator is perfectly camouflaged into the background as it makes its way towards its meal – a tasty impala hanging in the branches of a tall tree.

At first glance, the tree appears to have a darker piece of bark running up its tall trunk.

In fact, this dark streak is actually the darkened spine and black tail of the leopard, which is clinging to the tree as it tries to reach its meal.

The leopard was pictured by German wildlife photographer Ingo Gerlach.

Ingo, 64, said: “The leopard was jumping up the tree to go and eat its meal. It’s a carcass of an impala that’s hanging from the tree.

“The leopard was incredibly shy and I had to wait over five hours to take the picture. I was lucky to spot the leopard in the first place, and then even more so to catch it going up the tree.

“Camouflage is extremely important for the leopard.

“When they go hunting it helps them to stay hidden so their prey – be it gazelles, antelopes, or indeed impalas – only see them very late.”