This is the terrifying moment a crocodile chased away a drunk man swimming in its lagoon in Mexico.

The man plunged into the murky green water before the reptile emerged in Villahermosa, Tabasco, on June 16.

Concerned locals could be heard shouting in fear as the man, who has not been named but who was reportedly drunk, swam out into the middle of the body of water, directly heading towards the beast.

However, he saw the croc's eyes and snout poking through the surface and quickly changed direction. Footage shows how the crocodile began to float slowly but menacingly towards him.

A woman in the background can be heard saying 'No! No! No!' multiple times as the man heads to the side of the lagoon.

The large crocodile drew closer before disappearing as the man frantically removed his shoes and tossed them onto dry land.

He then arched his head back and appeared to cry out in pain before appearing to struggle in the water.

Suddenly he lifted himself out of the water in one go and rolled onto the ground over a small wall.

Onlookers pointed out that the crocodile was merely warning the man to leave the pond and held back from attacking him.