A stealthy stingray floated over to tourists who were feeding the fish - sending them into a panic as they leapt from the water.

The marine animal was attracted to a group of girls who were throwing snacks to the fish. It then glided over to them in Surigao del Sur, the Philippines on January 27.

Footage shows the giant stingray moving under the water's surface towards the visitors. Due to the glare from the surface, they were unable to see the creature from their positions.

But the girl in the orange life vest screamed when the beast touched her arm. She looked down to see it staring menacingly back at her.

The girl tried to scramble up the steps and laughed nervously instead when the guides helped to calm them down.

Tourist Alliana Marie Athena Santos said: 'The stingray was friendly and gentle. We just did not expect it to be swimming that close. We were not ready. It could have let us know it was coming.'

Stingrays are generally not dangerous and are usually gentle, shy creatures that prefer to avoid humans. However, they can be dangerous if provoked or accidentally stepped on.

Australian wildlife legend Steve Irwin died while diving in 2006 when a stingray's barb pierced his heart.

Despite attempts to save him, Steve succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident. His death was considered a rare and tragic accident, as stingrays are generally not aggressive.

He was filming a documentary called Ocean’s Deadliest near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia at the time.