Lions truly are the kings of the savanna.

This male had no hesitation taking on a sizable croc along the water’s edge.

With tiny cubs in tow, the lion warns the reptile not to mess with his brood. He then bravely walks over to the reptile and begins repeatedly swatting it over the head with his colossal paws, to really emphasize his point. The crocodile seems unsure about how to react, but holds his ground against the formidable beast.

After a final series of “boops” to the head, the lions sit casually next to the understandably confused crocodile while their tiny cubs play nearby.

While this big cat may look like a female, he’s actually a mane-less male. Contrary to popular belief, not all male lions have manes. Males in in the Tsavo area generally lack the famous coif, perhaps an adaptation to climate or local conditions. West African lions are also often seen with scanty, or missing, manes.

Though it may seem like this male is being a bit of a bully, he’s just taking his responsibilities seriously; Male lions are generally in charge of defending and protecting the pride, while the females do the majority of the hunting.

Crocodiles will sometimes attempt to attack cubs — or even adults — when they come in for a drink or attempt to cross a waterbody. Lions are wary of crocs and generally avoid them whenever possible. We suppose this one just wanted to be overly cautious.

This incredible encounter was filmed by a tourist in Kenya’s Samburu National Park, who was understandably shocked to witness the interaction.