The UK's largest snake has been spotted swimming towards the shore in a photo taken near Southampton.

Daily Echo Camera Club member Kieran Borer snapped a photo as he joked that the snake was "cooling off in the water" during the ongoing heatwave.

Despite long stretches of sun over recent weeks, Hampshire Wildlife Trust noted that the grass snake is more fond of wetland habitats, such as ponds or streams.

The wildlife trust also said that the snakes hunt amphibians, fish, small mammals and birds.

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It blends in with grass as it is usually greenish in colour, with a pale belly, a yellow and black collar, and dark markings on its side.

Grass snakes have an impressive lifespan of around 15 to 25 years, but are often hunted by predators like badgers, domestic cats, hedgehogs, birds and red foxes.

Hampshire Wildlife Trust did note that the snake does not bite and "are harmless to humans".

A spokesperson said: "When caught, grass snakes hiss and release a foul-smelling substance from their anal gland.

"Although they may also strike with the head, they do not bite."