THIS is the shocking moment a hunky male model is attacked by an aggressive octopus who clasps onto his body and drags him underwater.

Italian Federico Cola was enjoying the Indian Ocean on a holiday to the Seychelles when he was preyed upon by the tentacled beast.

Footage shows the ripped Milan-based influencer walking around the crystal clear waters before he is suddenly pounced upon by the octopus.

It wraps its eight limbs around the man’s leg before pulling him under.

Cola appears to panic for a few seconds as he falls backwards and splashes his arms in the ocean.

The video then shows his legs up in the air as the sea creature continues to tug on Cola’s leg.

Moments later the model manages to grab a hold of the octopus, remove it from his body and hold it up in the air.

Cola’s arm is seen covered in what looks like marks from the octopuses suckers.

The model shared the surprising interaction to his 135,000 Instagram followers.

A follow-up clip reveals how instead of being overwhelmed by the interaction Cola decided to become friends with the octopus.

He carries it out of the water and onto the beach before showing it to the camera.

The pair play around for a few minutes with Cola splashing it with water and even letting it climb up onto his back.

In one short clip Cola even appears to let the octopus act as a backpack as it slowly crawls up his upper body and stretches its tentacles around his head.

The Instagram post was captioned: “What a magical surprise this first of the year. I found my love (actually she found me ) haha.”

The interaction took place on New Year’s Day with the post already getting over 1.1 million likes.

Dozens of people flooded the comments section as they praised Cola for his bravery.

One said: “I would’ve DIED if I felt something clasping my leg under water – I would’ve screamed, tried to run, and passed out…

“I love that this guy was so brave, settled, and enjoyed the interaction.”

A second asked: “Can it bite you?”

Others were impressed by the pair’s relationship after the initial scare.

A comment read: “This is officially the cutest ocean friendship ever.”

Another wrote: “The way he carried it like it was his baby.”

It comes a man was left terrified of the sea creatures after one lunged at him before wrapping its tentacles around his neck.

Lance Karlson, 34, first saw the beast when it attacked a seagull near Ramada resort at Geographe Bay in Australia while he was walking with his two-year-old daughter.

Karlson posted footage of the attack online with the caption: “The angriest octopus in Geographe Bay!”