This is the nerve-wracking moment a zoo visitor leaned into an enclosure to feed spotted hyenas.

The reckless man extended his arm to share a snack with the predators at Taipei Municipal Zoo in Taiwan on November 16.

Footage shows the holidaymaker at the edge of the elevated platform with one of his arms raised. This prompted one of the curious hyenas to attempt to reach for his arm.

The man eventually stepped back.

The zoo does not use special barriers to restrict visitors. Instead, they rely on the modern use of high walls to separate the animals, increase ornamentation, and avoid direct contact and potential danger.

Dr Peng Renlong, the head of the Taipei Zoo's Children's Animal District and an expert in animal welfare research, said: 'The different habits of each animal influence the design of their display area, especially large carnivores. For example, lions are separated by glass, while leopards are housed in netted cages.'

Hyenas are dog-like carnivorous mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa. They use their powerful bite to eat animals like zebras and wildebeests, grinding down bones to extract marrow.

Their bite force is around 1,100 lbs (498 kgs) per square inch (PSI), which is almost seven times stronger than the average human bite force of 162 PSI.