This is the moment a hulking hippo casually wandered up to a huge crocodile - leaving the normally fearsome predator frozen to the spot.

Rogan Kerr, 36, filmed the extraordinary encounter as the hippo heaved itself out of a shrinking watering hole at dusk.

The massive mammal made a beeline for a crocodile sprawled on the warm riverbank, its jaws agape, and teeth on full display.

But the hippo was unfazed, and sauntered up to the large reptile and sniffed it as the croc hissed menacingly.

Rogan, a wildlife filmmaker based in Maun, Botswana, said: "I was amazed to see this interaction. "

"As dusk fell, the hippos were gearing up to leave the water, while this hefty croc was still soaking up the last of the warmth on the sand. "

"I've never seen them get so close before, but with water so scarce, it was bound to happen in what little remained of the Thamalakane Riverbed."

The remarkable face-off unfolded at one of the few remaining pools in the parched landscape, where even Africa's most dangerous animals are being pushed uncomfortably close together.

ENDS