A video has captured the moment a venomous snake was seen basking in the sun near a reservoir in North Yorkshire.

The passer-by captured the intense moment in a video after they stumbled across the reptile at Cod Beck reservoir near Osmotherly. 

In the video, which has been sent to The Northern Echo, it shows an Adder snake near the edge of the reservoir during a hot day earlier this week.

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A resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, described being shocked to spot the snake while out walking their dog.

The sighting comes after there has been an increased number of Aadder sightings at beauty spots across the country due to the warmer weather.

Warnings have been issued by the RSPCA for escaping snakes during the warmer temperatures.

Two weeks ago a stray 3.5-foot-long corn snake was found loose in a wheelie bin, causing a bit of stir for one resident.

The Northern Echo: WATCH: Residents shock after stumbling across venomous adder at reservoir WATCH: Residents shock after stumbling across venomous adder at reservoir

The animal charity warned that snakes were “excellent escape artists” and will take the opportunity of a gap in the enclosure door.

The charity also issued advice on how best to spot wild snakes in the UK and stressed that we currently only have three native snake species in the UK.

These include the adder, grass snake and smooth snake.

Emma Horton, scientific officer at the RSPCA, added: “In the UK, we're lucky enough to have three native species of snakes - the adder, the grass snake (pictured) and the smooth snake.

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“The adder has a distinctive zig-zag pattern down his/her back, with red eyes and a vertical pupil, and can grow to around 70cm. They're the only venomous species of snake in the UK!

“Grass snakes, in comparison, are usually an olive green colour, with large eyes and round pupils and can be over a meter long.

“They have a distinct collar behind their heads and are also the only native snake species to lay eggs. If you're lucky, this species might visit your garden (look out for soft leathery eggs in your compost heap!).

“The smooth snake is the least widespread, localised to the south of England and found in heath habitats.

“They're the smallest species, growing to only around 55cm in length. They're typically a greyish brown in colour, have a dark stripe down the side of their face, a heart-shaped pattern on their head and a pattern of spots and bars along their back”

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