A family were left shocked after a camouflaged python snatched an unsuspecting seagull right in front of them.

When Iris Lopez Arista made her way down to Lennox Head, New South Wales, Australia, on January 27 she spotted a coastal carpet python hidden in the grass just a few metres away.

Amazing footage captured the moment an oblivious bird hopped off the water and casually strolled past the hidden predator who launched itself at an easy meal.

In a flash, the python snatched the seagull in its jaws and pulled it into its grasp before wrapping its body around the unlucky animal squeezing the life out of it.

Iris said: “I was surprised. The birds were close to the snake for a while so I was beginning to think the snake wasn't interested. First time seeing something like this.

“I did know the snake was there, it was there for a few hours before the video. We saw the seagulls and started filming in anticipation for what would happen next.

“The bird was killed and eaten. We came back four hours later and the bird was about halfway down the snake.”