Baby hippo Moo Deng was bopped on the nose by a monkey.

The primate swipers its arm at Moo Deng, causing the hippo to run away in shock at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand.

Footage shows the furry creature jumping in and trying to steal food from the juvenile water horse. Moo Deng quickly hid behind her mother, prompting her mum to check on her while the mischievous monkey casually walked away.

Hippos are known to be social animals. This behavior helps them learn social cues and establish relationships within their group. Their playful nature also allows them to explore and learn about their surroundings.

Moo Deng - whose name translates to 'bouncy pig' - is attracting large numbers of visitors to the zoo in Chonburi near the city of Pattaya.

Officials said the zoo has seen record ticket sales since the pygmy hippo exploded in popularity.

From September 1 to 23 alone, weekday attendance surged to 5,000 visitors daily, compared with fewer than 1,000 before Moo Deng. On weekends, numbers surged from at little as 2,000 to more than 10,000.