This is the shocking moment a python lunged at a youngster while he was fixing his motorcycle.

The snake had been hiding under a pile of dried leaves as Proramate Wiriyaraksakit, 21, carried out a DIY repair in Samut Prakan, Thailand.

However, the unsuspecting Proramate heard a strange rustle behind him while he was tightening the screw of the two-wheeler.

CCTV footage shows the reptile suddenly springing from the undergrowth perfectly camouflaged and attempting to bite Proramate.

The agile serpent failed to pierce its fangs on the startled lad and quickly slithered away.

Proramate said: ‘I could faintly see it because everything happened so fast but it was definitely a python.'

He leapt over his motorcycle to avoid the attack and escaped without injury.

Despite the shock, Proramate remained composed and stayed in the area to see if the animal would return.

The serpent was not spotted again, and he later dragged the vehicle to a different location to finish the repair.

Pythons are ambush predators that strike quickly, grabbing prey with their sharp, backwards-curving teeth. After seizing their target, they wrap their powerful bodies around it to suffocate it before swallowing it whole.

These snakes often wander into residential areas in search of food, especially during hot seasons when their natural habitats are disturbed.

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.