Mexican Villagers Who Killed 25-Foot Snake With Sticks May Face Charges

Snakes are a frightening adversary at any size, let alone when they are 25 feet long. But that's exactly what Mexican villagers in Benito Juarez saw lying along a railway track, after being spotted by rail passengers.

In fear, the villagers living in the remote area in Mexico's southeast state of Tabasco resorted to beating the snake with sticks as it was trying to slither away. After hitting it with sticks, the frightened residents cut off the head of the animal. But now the villagers are being criticized by conservationists who say those involved in the attack could face charges.

"I have never seen a snake that big, and it was clear that it was a danger to people as well is wild stock, said local Nicandro Aguilar to Mail Online. "It could just as easily have swallowed down a child as a lamb or a calf. It was massive."

The snake, which supposedly was living in a nearby cave, has been blamed by villagers for the disappearance of young animals in the region.

The story of the snake went viral after a tourist took a picture of the dead snake, which was laid on the side of a bridge by villagers who were planning to remove the skin.