In a rare encounter, an alligator and a shark recently butted heads in South Carolina — and not surprisingly, the ocean predator seemed to get the better of the swamp dweller.

The incident happened earlier this week in full view of a group of tourists, who were throwing food to the gator when a large shark emerged just feet away, says witness Cory Conlon.

 

After circling the gator a few times, the shark attacked, biting the large reptile on one of its legs, video reveals.

 

The alligator responded by charging the shark, but then — apparently after reconsidering the move — abruptly backed away.  Both creatures then went their separate ways, Conlon says.

The battle occurred just weeks after a different alligator in South Carolina was captured on video eating a smaller gator.