This is the amusing moment a sea creature poked its head out of the sand.

Footage captured by Ric Laurence Bague shows the spotted garden eel emerging from the seabed in its enclosure at Cebu Ocean Park in Cebu, the Philippines, on December 4.

It gradually moved upwards, revealing its long body.

Ric said: 'The eel looks like it wants to grasp some news from the visitors, as if eavesdropping on them. It was entertaining.'

Spotted garden eels can grow up to 16 in (40 cm). They live in sandy burrows near coral reefs at depths of 49 ft (15 m) to 147 ft (45 m).

Researchers have concluded that these eels are easily disturbed and will quickly retreat into their burrow, tail first. They rarely leave their burrow, even to spawn, and are most commonly seen with just one-quarter of their body extended out of it.