Affectionate mountain lion tries to lick and nibble two children through glass wall of zoo

A mountain lion chased two little girls it spotted from its zoo enclosure – then trying to give them a lick through the glass wall.

The heartwarming scene was captured at a zoo in the US, and showed the curious big cat bounding alongside the girls as they ran back and forth along the edge of its enclosure.

At one point the animal, also known as a cougar, put its paw up against the glass in an attempt to touch the youngsters, prompting them to giggle and give him a wave.

And when the girls finally stopped to let the lion get a closer look, it gave a gentle nibble, then stuck its tongue against the glass in an apparent sign of affection.

Despite the seemingly friendly display, mountain lions are dangerous carnivores which have been known to attack children.

The creatures are native to western North America and South America, and hunt mammals including deer, coyote and raccoons.

Mountain lions target their prey by stalking it from a distance, before pouncing and killing it with their fangs and claws.