Locals were baffled when they found an unusual snake that seemingly had four legs.

Villagers caught the bizarre creature when it tried to lunge at a local security guard in Tanza town, Cavite province, in the Philippines, on July 19.

Footage shows the curious residents examining the limp 12-inch-long snake, with four legs protruding from its midsection. The mutant serpent resembled a Brachiosaurus dinosaur with a long neck and short limbs.

Onlooker Marvin Arbues said: 'The little creature was caught at the residence of the village chief. One of his security aides caught it.

'The snake was aggressive and tried to attack the guard, so he whacked it. It died, but they kept it in a glass jar with chemicals to preserve it.'

The snake is believed to have eaten a lizard, whose legs burst from its sides when it was struck by the security guard.