Alligator tries to snatch man's GoPro in terrifying encounter

A daredevil wildlife photographer narrowly escaped the jaws of a hungry alligator - after it tried to take a bite out of his camera.

Bobby Wummer was visiting the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida when the reptile lurched out the water towards his Go Pro.

He was using a 12-ft extension pole on his camera in a bid to keep a safe distance from the wild animal - but had a close shave when the alligator mistook it for food.

Seconds after Bobby started filming, the gator can be seen launching itself out the water before biting down on the camera.

The reptile's sharp pointy teeth and scaly tongue were captured in the dramatic clip which shows deep inside its gullet.

Realising it isn't food, the alligator then unclenches its grip from the camera before swimming away.

Taking to Facebook to share his experience, Bobby said: "I was trying to get a close up of a Florida alligator video using my Go Pro camera.

"As you can see I did get an extreme close up inside the gators mouth.

"This was not done intentionally -I didn’t think that he would actually lunge up and bite down on the camera.

"I was lucky and didn’t play tug of war which would have probably been the end of camera!

"Fortunately I was able to retrieve the GoPro with only minor damage to my equipment."

The video was footage was filmed on April 27.