Reticulated pythons pose growing threat to Puerto Rico's residents

Puerto Rico is struggling with a growing population of reticulated pythons and their attacks on people. Originating from Southeast Asia, these reptiles have spread in recent years to seven municipalities on the Caribbean island, frequently visited by tourists worldwide. What are the characteristics of these reptiles?

Local media increasingly report cases of aggressive snakes appearing near human dwellings. These are not typical species for Puerto Rico. Prof. Alberto Puente, a biologist from the University of Puerto Rico, notes that the island hosts various types of snakes, but the reticulated python is the most dangerous reptile due to its large size and high aggressiveness.

The scientist emphasizes that in most cases, reticulated python attacks on Puerto Ricans result in injuries, but there have also been cases where this animal has killed a person.

According to him, the reticulated python, an invasive species in Puerto Rico that disrupts the local ecosystem, has spread quickly in recent years, especially in the seven municipalities. The first specimens of this animal were observed on the island in the first decade of the 21st century.

Puente believes that the cause of the invasion of this snake is the widespread trade in wild animals, which ended up in Puerto Rico. The reticulated pythons living on the island can reach lengths of up to 6 metres.

In their native Southeast Asian habitat, these snakes can grow up to 10 metres in length. Their diet includes monitor lizards, various species of birds, and mammals - from rats to large domestic pigs.

The reticulated python is not the only non-native animal that has recently become widespread on this Caribbean island. Another species is the lemur, which is brought from Madagascar in Africa. As noted by the Puerto Rican newspaper "El Nuevo Dia," there have already been cases of lemur bites on humans in Puerto Rico in recent years.