This is the moment giant millipedes were caught mating in front of amazed tourists at a Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Footage shows the multi-legged arthropods entwined as they writhed together on the floor of the Wat Phra That Chom Thong temple in Phayao, on July 8.

The brown-black creatures faced each other before then coiling their segmented bodies around each other in a 'romantic embrace'.

Monks said the millipedes typically emerge during the rainy season to seek out safe spots in the temple where they could carry out their mating ritual.

A temple monk said: 'Although not considered sacred, the millipedes always amuse visitors. They are nature's way of showing that even small creatures maintain an organised way of life.'