Hawaiʻi agriculture inspectors capture ball python in Kaimukī backyard

A live snake was captured in the backyard of a Kaimukī residence on Oʻahu by agriculture inspectors from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture on Sunday night.

The homeowner said he saw the snake in the afternoon and initially thought it was a child’s toy. Later in the evening, he noticed it was moving and called 911. Honolulu police officers at the scene contacted inspectors from the Plant Quarantine Branch at about 10:15 p.m. and sent photos of the snake.

A team from the Plant Quarantine Branch arrived at the home around 11:30 p.m. and used snake tongs to capture the 3 1/2-foot snake.

The snake has been identified as a nonvenomous ball python. While being captured and handled, inspectors noted the snake was docile, likely making it an escaped pet. The snake is being safeguarded at the Plant Quarantine Branch.

Snakes are illegal to import or possess in Hawaiʻi. Individuals who have illegal animals are encouraged to turn them in under the amnesty program, which allows individuals to voluntarily surrender illegal animals and no criminal or civil penalties will be assessed if done before an investigation is initiated.

Any illegal animal may be dropped off at any Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture office, local humane society, or municipal zoo. Animals turned in under amnesty will not be euthanized.

Individuals possessing illegal animals may be charged with a Class C felony, issued fines of up to $200,000, and may be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Anyone with information on illegal animals should call the state’s toll-free pest hotline at 808-643-7378.

Snakes have no natural predators in Hawaiʻi and pose a serious threat to Hawaiʻi’s environment because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat. Many species, such as the ball python, prey on birds and bird eggs, increasing the threat to endangered native bird species.

Large snakes may also be a threat to the health and safety of humans, pets, and other domestic animals. Ball pythons may grow up to six feet in length and are common in the pet trade on the mainland.