A shocking scene from the wild has been captured in a video that is quickly spreading across social media.

A giant snake, believed to be an anaconda, can be seen grabbing an animal near the edge of a river and attempting to swallow it.

Onlookers say the footage shows the predator striking with sudden speed as the unsuspecting animal tries to escape into the shallow water. 

  Viewers online are divided, with some calling it a rare natural hunt, while others question whether the scene was even fully captured in real time due to how quickly it escalates