A ball python was captured in Waianae on the island of O’ahu this week, prompting a multi-agency response from Hawai’i officials. I read the report from The Cool Down, which confirmed that the snake was turned over to the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture for identification and containment. The agency noted that even a single sighting of a non-native snake can trigger a coordinated effort involving multiple state and federal teams.
Hawai’i has no native snakes, and the state maintains a strict ban on owning or transporting any species of snake. The Cool Down reported that a conviction for possessing or importing a snake can carry a fine of up to $200,000 and up to three years in prison. Ball pythons are not venomous, but they are constrictors that can grow to five feet or more, and in Hawai’i’s warm climate they could potentially establish a breeding population if released.
For a homeowner on O’ahu, the appearance of a snake on your property is a reportable event. You should not try to catch or handle the animal yourself; instead, contact the Hawai’i Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch or the island’s invasive species committee. If you are looking for ways to secure your property against snakes or other wildlife, you may find the 7 Best Snake Traps That Work, From Cage Traps to Glue Boards useful, as it covers placement and species-specific approaches. The primary source for this story is The Cool Down.
The notice is published by The Cool Down at www.thecooldown.com.
