Department of Agriculture

NR15-13
Nov. 20, 2015

HONOLULU – A Nuuanu resident on Old Pali Road found a large boa constrictor in front of his home last night at about 7:00 p.m. Responding police officers were able to capture the snake and hold it until it was picked up by an inspector from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

The snake measured about six-and-a-half-feet long and is being safeguarded at the Plant Quarantine Branch. The origin of the snake is not known.

Boa constrictors are non-venomous and are native to Central and South America.  They may grow up to 12 feet in length and have a normal diet of small mammals such as mice and rats.

Snakes are illegal to possess and transport to Hawaii and HDOA urges those who spot illegal animals or who know of persons possessing illegal animals to call the state’s PEST HOTLINE at 643-PEST(7378).  Snakes and large lizards have no natural predators in Hawaii and pose a serious threat to Hawaii’s environment because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat. Many species also prey on birds and their eggs, increasing the threat to our endangered native birds. Large snakes may also kill pets and even humans.

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Media Contact:
Janelle Saneishi, Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
(808) 973-9560
[email protected]
https://hdoa.hawaii.gov

 

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