Despite its snake-like appearance, the slow worm is actually a legless lizard and is harmless to people.
The reptiles are found across parts of southern England, including Hampshire and Dorset, where they favour habitats such as grassland, woodland edges, heathland and gardens.
The slow worm was spotted at Moors Valley Country Park (Image: NQ)
The sighting is not unusual for the park, which lists slow worms among the reptiles frequently seen in its forest. The area’s mix of woodland, heathland and meadows provides suitable habitats for the species.
Slow worms often shelter beneath logs, stones and dense vegetation, emerging to hunt for small invertebrates such as slugs and worms.
They can grow to around 50cm long and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to intentionally kill or injure them.
They are particularly associated with warm, sheltered spots where they can bask and regulate their body temperature.