A Kaimukī resident's evening took an unexpected turn when a slithering surprise in their backyard turned out to be an illegal escapee rather than a child's plaything. In a scene more befitting of "Snakes on a Plain" than an urban dwelling, a ball python, approximately three-and-a-half-foot long, was captured by the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture's inspectors on a quiet Sunday night, according to an incident report by the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.
It wasn’t until the homeowner noticed the supposed toy begin to move that panic set in. "He saw the snake in the afternoon and initially thought it was a child’s toy," Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture detailed. After realizing the error, 911 was promptly called. Honolulu police intervened to swiftly contact the Plant Quarriage Branch, receiving assistance at around 10:15 p.m. with photos sent to aid identification. By 11:30 p.m., the unsuspecting python was in the safe hands of authorities, nabbed by snake tongs and prepped for containment.
With the creature now resting under the watch of Plant Quarriage Branch inspectors, it has been identified as a non-venomous species but one unwelcome nonetheless in Hawaiʻi's delicate ecosystem. "The snake was very docile," Plant Quarriage Branch inspectors reported, pointing strongly to the likelihood of it being an escaped pet. Under the state's amnesty program, residents are urged to surrender illegal animals without fear of retribution, allowing for preservation rather than penalization, as stated by the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.
Owning snakes in Hawai‘i is illegal and dangerous to the local environment. Since snakes have no natural predators here, they can harm native birds and wildlife. The ball python, for example, is a real threat. To stop illegal reptile imports, the state treats this as a class C felony, with fines up to $200,000 and possible jail time. People can report illegal animals anonymously by calling the PEST HOTLINE at 808-643-PEST (7378), as per the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture.
