A hungry alligator was caught on camera trying to take a bite out of a photographer's camera in a terrifying incident.
The reptile's sharp pointy teeth and scaly tongue were captured in the dramatic clip filmed by wildlife photographer Bobby Wummer.
He was using a 12-ft extension pole on his camera in a bid to keep a safe distance from the wild animal on a visit to the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida last week.
Seconds after he started filming the gator launches itself up and bites down hard on the camera.
Realising it isn't food, the alligator unclenches its grip from the camera before swimming away.
Despite the reptile munching on the technology, the camera only suffered minor damage, allowing Bobby to uploading the footage to his Instagram.
The video has racked up over 9,650 views on the social media platform so far.
One social media user said: "Haha holy moly that gator was NOT playing around! [sic]."
A second person joked: "That’s what it looks like when someone you don’t like tries to French kiss you."
Another impressed follower wrote: "Congrats on this unique footage/perspective, wow !!! [sic]."
"Uhhh, wow, that was up close and very personal glad your camera was safe", added a fourth viewer.
Others were less sympathetic to the incident.
One Instagram user said: "That’ll teach yah [sic]."
"A little to close to Mamas nest, back up Buddy [sic]", warned another viewer.
