This is the chilling moment a hungry python slithered across bird cages and tried to bite the pet owner who passed through the dark.

The 8ft (3m) snake entered the home through the garden to try and feast on the family's birds in Samut Prakan, Thailand, on November 18.

It found the stacks of coops on the first floor, but a housewife walked by while searching for a way inside the metal cages.

The serpent laid motionless with the lights turned off and waited for the resident to be near as she held her phone torch before trying to attack her.

CCTV footage shows the python launching itself to the housewife but missing a few inches to reach her.

The resident continued walking towards the door to turn on the lights before discovering the large animal on top of the cages.

The housewife's husband Jakkrit Noksawang, 57, said: 'Our house covers more than 2,000 square ft of land. We keep numerous birds by the garden. We think the snake was attracted to eat our birds.'

The firefighter added his wife went down from the bedroom to prepare breakfast when saw saw the snake.

He said: 'She shouted to alert us. She could have been attacked by the large python. No one else was awake at the time.'

While the housewife was waiting for help, the snake fled the home. Jakkrit and rescuers searched around the property, but it was gone.

Village chief Anucha Sonnuch, 54, said they had pruned the old trees nearby, which could have caused the snakes to search for another nest.

He said: 'My relative was nearly attacked by a python. We need to be more alert.'

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.