This is the amusing moment a tiger sneaked up on its dozing mate before pouncing to wake it for playtime.

The playful wildcat startled its sleeping companion, prompting the unsuspecting feline to leap to its feet and chase off its attacker at the Siberian Tiger Park in Heilongjiang, China.

Visitors held their breath as the mischievous 32-st (200 kg) tiger crept towards its friend resting on a nearby tree.

Dramatic footage shows the beast lowering its body, padding silently across the enclosure while stalking the dozing tiger on August 15.

Moments later, it lunged forward and nudged the animal on the head, causing guests to gasp.

The visibly irritated tiger then jumped up, let out a short roar, and hissed at its companion while entertained spectators laughed.

Animal experts said the behaviour was not aggression but a form of social interaction.

Zhang Minghai, director of the China Cat Research Centre, said: 'Adult tigers maintain social bonds by simulating hunting behaviours, much like human roughhousing. The tiger in the video kept its claws retracted and its bite restrained, indicating it was inviting interaction, not attacking.'

Park officials identified the two males as eight-year-old tigers Dawei and Xiaowu, who grew up together after entering the park as cubs.

Keepers have observed them grooming each other and sharing food, suggesting their rough play is based on trust.

Li Yansong, chief engineer of Siberian Tiger Park, said: 'Tigers in captivity engage in similar playful interactions up to six times a day, far more often than in the wild. This may be due to low stress levels and plentiful food.'

Dr Johnson, a feline researcher at the Smithsonian Institution, said: 'This video provides a valuable example of the complex social behaviour of large cats, demonstrating that they not only express emotions but also carefully craft interactive scripts.'

The Wildlife Conservation Society recorded that fewer than 600 wild Siberian tigers remain worldwide, with around 50–60 living in China, mainly in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

The Harbin park, home to over 130 Siberian tigers, employs free-range grazing and enrichment programmes, including moving targets and scent mazes, to encourage natural behaviours.