Govind Tekale
An 18-foot-4-inch reticulated python captured in central Puerto Rico has set a live-capture record for the island following a joint operation by Florida hunter Kevin Pavlidis, known as “Snakeaholic,” and local removal group Proyecto Retic. Homeowners in Naranjito, a mountain municipality in central Puerto Rico, spotted the snake strangling their pet cat and scared it into nearby hillside brush before alerting help. Pavlidis and the Proyecto Retic team arrived and subdued the python in approximately 20 minutes, preventing it from retreating into the dense mountain canopy. The animal measured 18 feet and 4 inches—approximately 5.59 meters—and is identified as a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus), surpassing any previously documented live capture of the species on the island.
Puerto Rico has no native apex snake predators capable of slowing the spread of invasive reticulated pythons, which can exceed 20 feet in the wild. The species arrived through the exotic pet trade, with animals that outgrew captivity escaping or being released into mountain terrain that provides cover and prey. As invasive apex predators, reticulated pythons pose a direct threat to domestic pets and native island wildlife. Residents in central Puerto Rico who encounter a large constrictor near their home or pets should maintain visual contact from a safe distance and immediately contact a rapid-response removal team like Proyecto Retic rather than attempting to capture or kill the animal alone.
Are reticulated pythons native to Puerto Rico? No. Reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) are native to Southeast Asia and are the world’s longest snake species. Introduced to Puerto Rico through the exotic pet trade, they are an invasive apex predator that threatens domestic pets and native island wildlife.
For related context, see Karmactive’s earlier coverage and latest explainer.
