THIS striking image shows a snake and slow-worm curled up together in a tight embrace.

Wendy Carter of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust shed some light on this remarkable photo, captured by volunteer Thomas Baylis, of the two animals intertwined.

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The pair, despite being from a different species (a slow-worm is actually a legless lizard), appeared to be totally at ease in each other's company as they wound around each other at Lower Smite Farm, near Worcester.

Mrs Carter said: "Volunteers undertake regular surveying of wildlife at the Trust’s HQ, Lower Smite Farm.

"This week they were checking reptile populations and were delighted to discover this grass snake and slow-worm wound around each other.

"Both were warming up under one of several specially placed covers that help the volunteers to monitor the populations.

"It’s not unusual to find either species under the covers and sometimes both are found curled up at either end.

"The volunteers sometimes find grass snakes curled up with other grass snakes or slow-worms wound around other slow-worms but it’s quite rare for them to find a grass snake and a slow-worm entangled with each other.

"The favourite foods of grass snakes are frogs, toads, newts, fish and small mammals – they’re often spotted hunting in ponds and lakes – so the slow-worm obviously felt quite safe.

"Slow-worms are often referred to as a gardener’s friend because one of their favourite foods is slug! We’d advise anyone who spots mats that have been put down for reptiles to leave them alone – whilst one person having a peek causes minimal disturbance, lots of people doing the same can have a negative impact on the wildlife."