WATCH: Video shows man treating crocodile as pet

Footage has emerged of a man getting up close and personal with a giant crocodile he claims is his pet.

In northeastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory a Yolngu man, Dima, regularly plays with the crocodile and feeds him fish.

His Gumatj clan have a deep respect for the crocodiles, and even see them as protectors of the community.

But the video has prompted a wildlife expert to warn people that the wild creatures can't be tamed.

In the video Dima attempts to lure the crocodile out of the water on to the sand with a fish in his hand.

After hitting the fish against the sand for a few seconds he walks towards the water and puts the fish closer to the crocodile.

The reptile starts moving further and further out of the water with the man's hand ending up just inches away from the croc's head.

According to website welcometocountry.org, the man claims the crocodile is his pet.

The vision was recorded in the coastal community of Bawaka in north eastern Arnhem Land.

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It's believed the crocodile visits the beach regularly where "it is treated with respect and caution", according to the website.

The crocodile's name is "Nike".

"Dima plays with Nike just like you might play with your pet dog or cat," the site reports.

Parks Wildlife Commission NT Chief Wildlife Ranger Tommy Nichols told NT News getting that close to a wild creature was "asking for trouble".

“It’s a silly thing to do,” he said.

“Crocodiles are extremely unpredictable; it’s best to leave the crocodiles well out of the way.”

Mr Nichols said while the crocodile could act friendly towards you, people should remember that wild animals can snap at any moment.

He suggested if people do want to get up close and personal with a "saltie", they should go to one of the parks.