A dramatic wildlife scene is capturing attention online after a large herd of wildebeest appeared to come face-to-face with what looks like a gigantic snake lying across a dusty safari trail.

In the footage, the enormous snake can be seen stretched across the road, while several wildebeest cautiously approach the unexpected obstacle. Other members of the herd remain farther back, creating a tense scene as clouds of dust rise around the animals.

The wildebeest appear hesitant as they get closer, seemingly trying to determine whether the massive reptile poses a threat. Some of the animals move around it while keeping their distance, making the encounter even more dramatic.

The apparent size of the snake makes the footage particularly striking, although the exact species, location and circumstances of the encounter cannot be confirmed from the footage alone. Wildlife videos shared online can sometimes lack reliable information about when and where they were recorded.

If authentic, it would be an extraordinary example of the unpredictable encounters that can occur between large animals in the wild.