Non-Venomous Gopher Snake Found in Hawaii Trees

A two-foot-long non-venomous gopher snake was discovered in a shipment of Christmas trees at a Hilo store in Hawaii on November 16. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) was notified, and inspectors captured the snake and conducted a thorough inspection of the shipment, finding no additional snakes. Gopher snakes, native to North America, can grow up to seven feet and pose significant threats to Hawaii's ecosystem as they have no natural predators on the islands. Their presence can threaten endangered native bird species by preying on birds and their eggs and competing with native wildlife for food and habitat. The discovery highlights the challenges faced by the HDOA, which lacks the resources to inspect every item within shipments despite opening each container for inspection. The snake is currently safeguarded and will be transported to Honolulu, and the public is urged to report any sightings of illegal animals to the statewide PEST HOTLINE.