Snakes in Hawaii are a big concern. As a visitor, you may be wondering are there snakes in Hawaii and if you should be worried, given the proliferation of venomous snakes in most tropical destinations including Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Hawaii ecosystems are completely unprepared for invasive predators. If snakes were to invade Hawaii, they could cause irreparable damage to native species.
Historically there have been no snakes in Hawaii, that is until they were brought here. For the most part. The distance between Hawaii and nearby Pacific islands and other continents is too vast for most snakes to survive traveling here.
Case in point.
You may have heard that not long ago a 20-year old man brought a live predator snake in his backpack to Hawaii. The snake wasn’t noticed until he checked into his vacation rental and the snake slithered out to enjoy the islands. The young snake, one foot long, was a black racer snake, which is not venomous and is widely seen in Florida. At the time, the USDA said, “the brown-colored snake appears to be a newborn, measuring about a foot long and 1/4 inch in diameter.” When full-grown, the snake could have reached up to 6 feet long, and could have caused significant damage.
Officials said the man was not aware of the snake until it emerged at a vacation rental property. Okay, well you can ponder that.
DNLR was notified and captured the creature, and it was transported to Honolulu. Hawaii Department of Agriculture said, “it is fortunate that the owner of the rental was aware of the seriousness of the snake being transported to Hawaii and took appropriate action and reported it. Visitors to our islands may not fully understand the threat that snakes pose to our community and our unique environment.”
Agriculture Department intentionally imported snakes into Hawaii.
Recently, Hawaii Agriculture imported four brown tree snakes for the special purpose of helping four specially trained dogs detect snakes that could enter the state via passengers or cargo. Brown tree snakes were responsible for decimating Guam’s bird population when they invaded that island.
Hawaii does have one near-native snake, the yellow-bellied sea snake.
It does not come on land and it is rare to see it in Hawaii. Somehow with our focus on cheap flights to Hawaii and Hawaii travel tips, we’ve just never seen one. They have a bright yellow bottom and a dark-colored top. It is reclusive by nature. Read on for its true story.
It is a crime to possess a snake in Hawaii.
This will cost you a fine of up to $200,000, imprisonment up to three years; and paying all costs for capture or eradication of the pest.
These are the snakes now found in Hawaii.
Brahminy Blind Snake. Hawaii is also now home to the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the island blind snake, which came in a potted plant from the Philippines in a potted plant around 1930. These are largely harmless, and it is believed that their populations in Hawaii are significant. They are not a native species. These smallest snakes measure up to 6″ in length. They are so small that some people have mistaken them for an earthworm. Blind Snakes prey on a diet of termites and ants, both of which are other real problems here in Hawaii. These are all female, and they lay eggs that hatch and do not need to be fertilized. Blind Snakes are thought to have little impact on Hawaii’s vulnerable native animal population.
Ball Python. Grows up to 6 feet long and is frequently kept as a pet. Some have made their way to Hawaii. In fact there have been several sightings in recent years. A four-foot specimen was seen on Oahu in the Kahaluu Forest, and another one was found not long ago in Hilo on the Big Island by an ambulance crew. Their diet consists of birds and small mammals and would be very damaging should they get loose. These snakes kill by constriction rather than by venom.
Boa Constrictor. These large and exotic snakes have been seen a number of times in Hawaii as well, one of which was nearly 10 feet in length. They have been found on Oahu. Boa’s made their way to the Hawaiian Islands as illegal pets largely. There is a black market here for such pets.
Brown Tree Snake. These biting and venomous snakes can be hitchhikers on boats or planes. They eat birds, bird and reptile eggs, lizards, small mammals including rats and mice, and even small pets. Brown Tree snakes are considered voracious eaters which are dangerous. They have done tremendous damage in Guam, where they face no natural predators.
Garter Snake. These creatures, common to the mainland, and kept there as a pet snakes, may have hitchhiked their way to Hawaii on Christmas trees multiple times, and as recently as 2020. They are distinguished by having light-colored stripes along their bodies. Garters are considered to be mildly venomous and can cause swelling. They feed on assorted insects, fish, and other critters.
Corn Snake. The most recent Hawaii sighting of a corn snake was 3 years ago in Waipahu (Oahu). These large snakes reach up to 6 feet in length and feed on bird eggs and other animals. There was just one orange corn snake seen in Hawaii, several years ago, when it was mysteriously found in someone’s backyard.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes. These are ubiquitous water snakes found in tropical waters and oceans worldwide and rarely come onshore. They are venomous but try to avoid humans. Nonetheless, their bite can be deadly. Yellow-bellied are not indigenous to Hawaii and are the only sea snake to have reached the islands via the Pacific Ocean. They are undoubtedly great swimmers. These snakes are seen in many places including Southern California, Costa Rica, and Peru.
We want to hear from you. What’s your reaction to snakes in Hawaii?
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Having snakes in Hawaii totally freaks me out, as you can tell I’m not a snake 🐍 lover! I know it was mentioned in your article but look at what happened in Guam and snakes devastating their bird populations, it’s a scary thought to consider this happening here in Hawai’i!
Perhaps someday we shall all be required to pray to Saint Patrick for relief for the Hawaiian Islands.
Ireland has no snakes; we can do it!
I just saw a brahminy snake in my yard! I thought it was a weird looking worm and looked it up. The more ya know!
Aloha , I am a Native
And I haven’t seen a slithering Snake ! Unfortunately there are two Legged snakes ( car dealers of old , Loan sharks , and Bosses ) As you can tell by my writing I’m quite a humorous person ! If any Snake is seen by me I’ll
Be sure to be heading in the opposite direction , ASAP then it’s reported , born & raised in Hi Maui & Neva saw one live , only on TV . As good thing …. I here in that they taste like Spam…lol
K, den RB …
Hi Randy.
Same here on snakes – neither of us has seen one. How about scorpions? It took decades to find one, and then there it was, alive in the bathroom no less.
Aloha.
Aloha, your. Article. On. Snakes. In Hawaiian. Paradise. Was. Very. Informative. & very. Professionally. Presented. Lived. In In wahiawa on Oahu 1971-1973 never. Saw. One of the creatures. Mahalo, stay healthy & safe, love to beautiful Hawaiian brothers & sisters !!!! Sincerely, jim amell
Hi Jim.
Thanks! We enjoyed writing it and learned a lot in the process.
Aloha.
Are this snake dangerous in hawaii?
Ohmigosh no snake’s please! I’ve always considered the island’s my safe place. I don’t like the centipedes and B-52 Bombers (Flying Cockroach)😧 Other than that, no Coyote’s; which we have to keep our pet’s inside at all times, keep on a short leash right next to us to do their business and/or to enjoy a little sunshine and nature. No bear’s,mountain lions, bobcats, snake’s, scorpion’s, tarantulas,shootings, and some of the most rude and dangerous driver’s in the state’s,So.California!
Geez Dawn I thought you were referring to Albuquerque, NM, perfect description of this place a culture shock having moved here from South Lake Tahoe!
BOB B… HEY! Watch what you say about The Q! True! But we don’t like it publicized! (And for whatever it’s worth – at least those things make The Q interesting! We found Lake Tahoe to be the singularly most boring place we’ve ever visited!)
It is interesting how many articles I read about snakes in Hawaii I’m a retired exotic species specialist that I’ve owned more than 100 species of snakes over my lifetime
I recognized the Braminy worm snake in Hilo as also having been imported with palm trees it was transported around the earth with. I have no question is the identification I supplied specimens to a paper in the journal Science. So yellow belly sea snake and worm snake One native one exotic.
Snakes travel in palm trees?? I thought they only flew on planes …
Yes actually other than the brown trout which was moved by the British the blind snake was transported around the earth in the dirt and roots of palm trees used as decorations in everything from golf courses to subdivisions and shopping malls.
Never fear Mongoose are here, they consume any snakes that find their way to the islands.
Randy,
There are No Mongoose(s) on Kauai; Mongoose(s) can be killed by large constrictor snakes; it’s been 139 years since any Hawaiian Mongoose(s) have seen a snake, and given the Mongoose(s) dismal record against eradicating rats in Hawaii, they cannot be relied upon to eradicate snakes, if, God forbid, dangerous snakes ever got established in Hawaii. One of the joys of Hawaii life is carefree hiking, not having to worry about snakes on any trails, nor in one’s yard.
Q: Are there snakes in Hawaii?
A: Yes. They run car rental companies.
Haha 😆
I recall maybe more than 20 years ago a report of a corn snake found dead on Kahekili Hwy in Kahalu`u.
Around the same time, a young man was staying with friends or family in Kahalu`u. He packed his bag and traveled to the Big Island, where a snake identified as a garter snake crawled out of his suitcase.
This information is from news reports.
I will admit at one time I worked for the DLNR. To this day no one as ever explained to me why anyone would intentionally bring a snake to the islands? Yes penalities should be increased. Airlines should cooperate with warnings and the extreme fines should go to education and elimination of ALL snakes in the 50h state. Extreme fines and guilty individuals put on a watch list.
Signed, Baffeled
If you see a snake in Hawaii, kill it immediately!
The standard is to report the snake to the DLNR. Restrain it if possible.
Geez, and all these years I thought I was safe from snakes in Hawaii!
The penalty isn’t stiff enough for those that bring snakes to islands.
Aloha,
I preferred thinking Maui did not have snakes! In the water close to shore about 2 yrs ago I saw a yellow snake like creature. It had brown on it. Being very afraid of snakes I didn’t study it close enough and told myself it couldn’t be a snake. Well maybe it was.
Thank you for an informative article. Even if one I wish wasn’t true!
Hi Kathleen.
Thanks. We learned a lot ourselves when writing it.
Aloha.
“Are there snakes in Hawaii?”
No shortage of lawyers out here. The islands are slithering with them.
Hi David.
Good to see your sense of humor remains strong.
Aloha.
Back when Opakapaka was still taking people temperatures at the door, mine was frequently low (e.g., in the 95s or 96), and I would have to go outside, find a rock in the sun to heat up.
Speaking of Opaka, according to the coconut wireless, they are shutting their door permanently as of March 31. Apparently, Charo is not going to renew their lease, and plans to go with something else. Good luck with that location, especially now that there’s way less car traffic out to Ke`e
Frankly, I think “death by firing squad” should be added to the penalties for anyone owning or knowingly importing a snake to Hawaii.
You’d probably have volunteers for the firing squad.
Good point like there should be a bounty on non native species, look what has happened to Florida and their Pythons. They should be “dispatched” when seen.
Don’t forget the politicians. There right there slithering with the rest of the reptilian creatures!
You had to tell me there are even just a few snakes in Hawaii!!! Now I can’t come anymore!!!!
Hi Barbara.
We thought about you. Don’t go there. Come back.
Aloha.
I’m with you, Barbara! I loathe snakes, having grown up in a state
With plenty of them, including a variety of venomous ones. Ugh!!!