Before humans came to the Islands, Hawai‛i was a bird paradise, lacking many of the types of animals found elsewhere in the world.
Due to the remote nature of these volcanic islands, organisms had to travel over 2,000 miles by wind or sea to reach these shores, and then survive and reproduce in a strange and sometimes harsh new environment.
The establishment of a species was a rare event, estimated to happen only once every 10,000-100,000 years.
Land-dwelling reptiles were among those excluded by the perilous journey (and their physiology) from starting new lives in Hawai‛i. The geckos and lizards that are common visitors to our windows and rock walls arrived with the assistance of humans.
Fortunately, their legless cousins (snakes) didn’t make the trip, and laws were eventually put into place to prevent the introduction of snakes, recognizing the threat to our native birds. (Big Island Invasive Species Council)
We repeatedly say, Hawai‘i doesn’t have snakes.
Then, Hawai‘i’s Department of Agriculture issued a news release stating, “A highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found washed up on the shore at Honoli‘i Beach in Hilo”.
“While these sea snakes are rarely seen onshore in Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) strongly advises beach and ocean goers not to touch the venomous sea snakes which are often mistaken for eels. A sea snake is easily distinguished by the bright yellow markings on its underside.”
The yellow-bellied sea snake is the most widespread snake species on earth. It is found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from the eastern coast of Africa to the western coast of Central America.
Unique among sea snakes, the yellow-bellied sea snake usually lives completely out at sea, criss-crossing the ocean by riding the ocean currents. While it is considered a pelagic (open ocean) species, it is occasionally carried into shallow water close to shore, or may even be beached during period of strong winds. (Waikiki Aquarium)
In the wild, the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake eats only fish. It hunts by stealthily approaching its prey or by waiting motionless at the surface and ambushing fish that come to shelter underneath it (small fish are often attracted to inanimate objects such as floating debris).
With its mouth agape the snake makes a rapid sideways swipe to snare any fish that comes too close. This snake can even ambush small fish behind its head by smoothly swimming backwards so that the prey then comes within range of its mouth. (Australian Museum)
“Sea snakes are distant relatives of cobras that have adapted to life in the ocean. These air-breathing marine reptiles can stay submerged for about two hours and can dive to about 300 feet.”
They catch their “prey with a sideways strike of the head. These predators quickly paralyze their prey by injecting a powerful venom through needlelike fangs. The snakes swallow their immobilized meal whole.”
“Unlike other species, they shun fresh and brackish water, and thus are not found in rivers or estuaries. Also, yellow-bellied sea snakes bear live young. Therefore, they don’t come ashore to lay eggs like other snakes.” (Susan Scott)
The yellow-bellied sea snake is reported to be among the more docile of sea snake species, but its venom is a potent nerve toxin that acts by blocking transmission of messages from nerves to muscles.
Apparently, however, sea snakes do not usually inject their toxin when biting defensively and two of three defensive bites involve no toxin. The greatest number of sea snake bites to humans are reported from the Philippines and southeastern Asia where snakes are accidentally caught in fishing nets.
Fatal bites result in death from respiratory, heart, or kidney failure. Less severe cases result in breakdown of muscle tissue and kidney damage, but victims recover without long-term effects if effective antivenom is received. (Waikiki Aquarium)
At least 52 species of sea snakes, all venomous, are found in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Of these, the yellow-bellied sea snake is the world’s most abundant and widespread, spanning the entire tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean. (Susan Scott)
“Beaked sea snake venom, a species found in the South Pacific, is the most deadly of all: One drop can kill three adult men. The toxicity of yellow-bellied sea snake venom is about a quarter that of the beaked sea snake, meaning it is still potentially lethal.”
“Fortunately, no sea snake bites have ever been recorded in Hawai‘i. Worldwide, the incidence of bites is unclear since most bites occur in areas with little health care and no medical records. One Malaysian study showed that of 120 sea snake bites, over 50 percent occurred to fishermen sorting fish and handling nets.” (Susan Scott)
Every now and then, there are reports of individual snakes in the Islands. Most recent captures of snakes have been in residential or natural areas, far from ports and often at sizes indicating they escaped or were released after spending some time in captivity here.
A call from an alarmed Kea‘au homeowner in 2009 led to the discovery of a 6′ boa constrictor in a garage. In 2011, a 9′ boa constrictor was captured by hunters in Waipahu, O‛ahu, and in 2013 a pedestrian found a rainbow boa cruising through the streets of Chinatown.
A 4-foot ball python was captured on a coffee farm in Kā‘anapali, Maui, in 2016. In 2017, a jogger found the body of a 5′ boa near a nature preserve in Kauai, just months after a live 7′ boa was found in a Nu‛uanu driveway. (BIISC)
Non-venomous boas and pythons are two of the most popular kinds of pet snakes and are among the most common showing up in Hawai‘i. These animals are likely not accidental introductions but were intentionally smuggled or shipped to Hawai‘i in violation of state law.
While snakes can make great, low-maintenance pets for responsible pet owners in other places, the risk to Hawai‘i’s already threatened ecosystems is far too great to risk the chance of any snake species establishing in the wild. (BIISC)
To encourage misguided reptile enthusiasts to do the right thing, Hawai‘i has offered an ongoing amnesty program for anyone who turns in an illegal animal.
The no-questions-asked policy allows individuals to drop off any prohibited animal for free and without fear of punishment at any zoo, Humane Society, or HDOA office in the state. This is a good deal considering that importing or owning a snake can lead to up to 3 years of jail time and fines of $200,000. (BIISC)
