Predator becomes prey: Cheetah is grabbed by a crocodile and dragged underwater in seconds as he bends down to get a drink

Chilling video shows the moment a cheetah makes the fatal mistake of drinking from a watering hole and is snatched by a crocodile lurking just below the surface.

The mammal was no match for the colossal reptile and was clearly off guard as it approached the water for a drink.

Tension builds as the cub seems to notice the crocodile, growling and baring its teeth at the water as it cautiously approaches the water and dives down.

The cat’s mother and her other cub can be seen in the background at a more careful distance from the shoreline, leaving her alone and more vulnerable to attack.

As the cheetah boldly approaches the water to get a much-needed drink, the crocodile skilfully jumps out and snaps its jaws around the cub’s neck, the animal leaping into the air and pawing at the beast in vain as it tries to escape.

The cheetah had very little chance of survival as the deadly crocodile quickly drags it deep into the water and drowns it. Tragically, the cheetah’s mother and brother can be heard crying desperately for the lost cub.

The incredible images, shot from a game vehicle in South Africa’s &Beyond Phinda Nature Reserve, reveals the cheetah’s terrifying final moments…

The cub, gasping for a drink of water, slides towards the lagoon, apparently unaware of the danger it faces

The cub seems to notice something in the water and growls and bares its teeth as the tension builds

The water shifts and the crocodile below breaks cover after stalking its prey

The killer crocodile grabs the big cat by the neck, while the cheetah flinches in a desperate attempt to escape

The cheetah claws at the beast in vain as the crocodile emerges to land and secure its prey

The mammalian predator clearly didn’t stand a chance when the crocodile dragged it into the lagoon

The cheetah cub tries to resist the mighty crocodile’s power, but it’s clear its final moments are over

The big cat disappears underwater while the crocodile successfully secures its next meal

Ripples on the water show where the crocodile descended, while the cries of the cub’s mother can be heard in the background

The cheetah cub disappears into the depths. Wildlife experts say the carcass will likely be buried at the bottom of the lagoon before the crocodile feasts on its decaying remains

The footage was captured by new safari channel WildEarth, which broadcasts on Freeview Channel 91