Ag inspectors find live snake in Hilo
The state Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that a live, two-foot-long snake was found Saturday morning in a container of Christmas trees being unloaded at a Hilo store.
The snake was captured by inspectors from the Plant Quarantine Branch in Hilo. It was identified as a non-venomous gopher snake.
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The inspectors checked every Christmas tree and the inside of the container, and no other snakes were found.
“Although plant quarantine inspectors open every container of Christmas trees and wreaths that arrive and conduct an inspection, we do not have the resources to inspect every item in each container,” said Sharon Hurd, DOA chairwoman. “We appreciate the store staff’s quick containment of the snake and our Hilo staff’s quick response.”
The snake is being safeguarded in Hilo and will be transported to Honolulu. Gopher snakes are found in North America and can grow up to about seven feet. Their diet consists of small rodents, young rabbits, lizards, birds and their eggs. Prey is killed by constriction and suffocation.
Snakes and large reptiles have no natural predators in Hawaii. Many species also prey on birds and their eggs, increasing the threat to Hawaii’s endangered native birds. They also compete with native animals for food and habitat. Large snakes can also be a threat to humans and small pets.
Anyone with information about illegal animals should call the statewide toll-free pest hot line at 808-643-PEST (7378).
An estimated 135 containers of Christmas trees and wreaths will arrive this season in Hawaii. So far this year, about 88 containers have arrived, containing about 46,450 trees.
Last year, a total of 120 containers arrived, containing about 59,400 trees.
