This is the dramatic moment a pet cat was seen tackling a snake caught slithering through a family's garden.

Elmar Aninon had just returned home from work when he witnessed the tortoiseshell cat staring at the rat snake in his backyard in Negros Oriental, the Philippines.

Footage shows the reptile attempting to crawl away from the feline on the morning of August 13.

This prompted the visibly curious moggy to smack the brown serpent with its paws while following it around the compound.

They can be seen both wagging their tails during the intense stand-off, motionless and waiting to see who will move first.

Moments later, the agitated snake lunged multiple times at the furry creature, but the feline managed to dodge every strike.

The snake, appearing tired from its failed attempts to escape, eventually rested on the ground in front of the kitty sitting close behind it.

The Philippine rat snake is a non-venomous species native to the islands, feeding primarily on rodents and small animals. While generally harmless to humans and other animals, it can be defensive when threatened.