Pythons attack people on this island - there is no shortage of fatal cases

The population of reticulated pythons and their attacks on people are increasing in Puerto Rico, located in the Caribbean.

Local media are increasingly reporting cases of aggressive snakes appearing near human homes, which do not belong to species typical of Puerto Rico.

As explained by a biologist from the University of Puerto Rico, Prof. Alberto Puente, although there are other types of snakes on the island, the reticulated python is "the most dangerous reptile because of its large size and high aggressiveness". He added that the new arrival disturbs the functioning of the ecosystem.

The scientist admitted that although in most cases, attacks by reticulated pythons on residents of Puerto Rico result in injuries, he added that there are also cases of people being killed by this animal.

According to Prof. Puente, the reticulated python, which is an invasive species in Puerto Rico, has been spreading rapidly in recent years, especially in the seven municipalities. He added that the first specimens of this animal were observed on the island in the 2000s.

"The cause of this snake's invasion is the widespread trade in wild animals that end up in Puerto Rico," Puente explained, noting that the reticulated pythons living on the island can grow to be up to 6 metres long.

The reticulated python is not the only animal from outside Puerto Rico that has recently become widespread on this Caribbean island. Another species is the lemur brought there from African Madagascar.

As the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia noted, in recent years there have been cases of lemurs biting humans in Puerto Rico.