It should be noted that giant snakes have not only become a source of fear for humans in recent times.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2011 provided a rare insight into the ecological relationship between snakes and humans, and more broadly, between giant reptiles and primates, including our ancestors.
The researchers argue that snakes have been attacking humans since prehistoric times, as humans are one of the suitable prey for snakes’ diets. We are mammals and not excessively large.
Furthermore, humans also hunt smaller animals that are part of the snake’s diet. Thus, from an evolutionary perspective, snakes may attack humans to reduce competition for food resources.
Two Agta natives holding the body of a giant reticulated python.
The authors of the study supported their hypothesis by surveying 120 Agta individuals, a modern hunter-gatherer tribe still living in the Philippines. The results showed that up to 26% of men hunting in the forests had been attacked by snakes.
From 1934 to 1973, six Agta individuals were killed by snakes. In one reported incident, a father returning from the forest found a python had entered his home and killed two of his children while attempting to swallow a baby.
Immediately, the father swung his bolo knife and killed the python. He then found his third child, a six-year-old girl, unharmed.
Scientists argue that since snakes have been attacking humans since ancient times, this is one reason our genetics are programmed to fear these giant reptiles.
It is no wonder that some people suffer from snake phobia, also known as “Ophidiophobia.” “Imagine living in constant fear of a 7.5-meter-long python slithering out of the bushes and grabbing your leg,” said Harry Greene, a professor of Ecology and Evolution at Cornell University.
A giant reticulated python caught and skinned by Agta people.
Many primate species that are ancestors of humans may have also been preyed upon by snakes. However, due to the powerful digestive enzymes of snakes, they can even break down their prey’s bones, making cases of prehistoric snake attacks on humans or primates often leave no trace or evidence.
As humans encroach upon nature, the consequences are dire.
At this point, we seem to hit an ironic invisible wall. Because of their remarkable digestive capabilities, snakes are among the most efficient animals at converting food into protein that humans can use as food.
Scientists are encouraging humans to eat snakes as they represent a source of “green protein” that can replace beef, pork, or chicken in traditional livestock farming—which contributes 14.5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions on the planet.
And it’s not just now; while some Agta natives in the Philippines are being preyed upon by snakes, they also frequently catch and eat snakes.
Most snake attack victims in Indonesia are related to palm oil plantations.
However, entering the territory of snakes has never been a safe act. Scientists state that snakes are ambush predators, which means they will lurk somewhere, in a bush or on a branch, and then suddenly strike.
Most recent reports of snake attacks on humans have occurred in Indonesia, and this is not coincidental.
Firstly, this island nation has the third-largest rainforest area in the world, following the Amazon in Brazil and the Congo rainforest. Rainforests are one of the natural habitats of snakes.
And secondly, Indonesia is currently the largest exporter of palm oil in the world.
Palm oil is an easily produced, versatile, and inexpensive ingredient. It is found in half of the goods you can find in any supermarket worldwide, from shampoo, body wash, toothpaste to pizza, candies, chocolate, and even medicine.
Each year, the world consumes up to 80 million tons of palm oil, but only one specific place is particularly suitable for growing this crop: The islands of Indonesia. This region accounts for up to 48% of global palm oil production. Because palm oil production is profitable, the people of Indonesia have recklessly cleared forests to plant oil palms.
Indonesia is facing deforestation for palm oil cultivation.
Global Forest Watch, an online platform that provides data and monitoring tools for forests, recently noted: “The loss of primary forest in areas larger than 100 hectares accounted for 15% of total forest loss in Indonesia in 2023. The expansion of industrial plantations is occurring in some locations adjacent to existing palm oil and pulp mills in Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, and West Papua.”
The report further stated: “Small-scale primary forest loss is also common across the country in 2023. Smallholder clearing for agriculture has contributed to ongoing losses in some protected areas, including Tesso Nilo National Park and Rawa Singkil Wildlife Sanctuary. Other losses related to mining can be seen in Sumatra, Maluku, Central Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.”
These are all areas that have reported snake attacks on humans, as deforestation means that the snake populations living in the forest have lost their habitats. Their prey populations have also declined.
Therefore, snakes—in their search for new homes and new meals—have encountered farmers on palm oil plantations.
If you remember Akbar Salubiro, a 25-year-old man from Sulawesi who was eaten by a snake in 2017, a witness reported hearing Salubiro’s screams behind the palm oil plantation the day before his body was found in the snake’s belly.
Four out of seven subsequent victims of reticulated pythons from 2018 to 2024 in Indonesia were related to palm oil plantations.
Many people carelessly keep snakes as pets, unaware that these creatures are very dangerous.
In 2018, a 31-year-old American man was strangled to death by a python he was keeping.
However, wild snakes are not the only snakes inhabiting this planet. There are millions of pythons worldwide being kept in captivity for their meat and skin, serving the luxury fashion industry.
Previous studies have shown that in captivity, snakes can experience stress and become more aggressive than usual. They may eat their own kind and even attack humans.
While many people view snakes as gentle, non-venomous animals that can be kept as pets, there have been recorded incidents of snakes attacking and killing their owners.
For instance, in 2018, a 31-year-old American man was strangled to death by an African rock python he kept as a pet. His body was found in the bedroom, with the blood vessels in his eyes burst due to the constriction, while the python had disappeared from its enclosure.
All of this sends a clear message from snakes to humans: They are not to be trifled with; always maintain a distance and know to fear, Ophidiophobia!
