A tot managed to calm down a lioness at a zoo - with a single kiss.

Video shows Lennon Croft, one, at the Milwaukee County Zoo leaning in for a peck and calming the big cat - which is pawing at the glass.

Lennon and his mother Michaela Croft, 38, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA visit the lioness, whom Lennon loves, every week.

During one of their visits, the lioness was interacting with Lennon more than usual - laser-focused on the tot and making him nervous.

Michaela, a stay-at-home-mum, said: "He loved the lioness and we would see her every time she was out!

"She kept pouncing and interacting with Lennon this time. He was getting nervous at first and would run away."

Michaela thinks that Lennon leaned in for the kiss because he thought the lioness wanted one.

She said: "I think he started to hug and kiss the lioness because he genuinely thought that’s what she wanted from him while pawing at the glass."

"He asked to watch the lion videos for months after and kept going back to her.

"She was always so playful with him after that."