Highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake found on Hilo beach

On February 4, a highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was discovered pinned under a log at Honoli'i Beach in Hilo, Hawaii. This rare sighting prompted officials from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch to advise beachgoers against touching the snake, which can be more venomous than a cobra. Lifeguards initially contained the 3-foot snake in a bucket before it was collected by inspectors, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The yellow-bellied sea snake is usually found in the Pacific Ocean, and sightings on land typically occur due to strong winds or currents. The state prohibits the importation or possession of this species in Hawaii. Officials urge anyone encountering a sea snake onshore to contact the state’s Pest Hotline instead of attempting to handle it.