45-inch illegal ball python captured in Waianae

News admin October 21, 2026 0 Comments

45-inch illegal ball python captured in Waianae

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A 45-inch illegal ball python was captured over the weekend on the Leeward Coast, officials said.

Police responded to a snake-sighting report in the Camp Waianae area Saturday night and called the Hawaiian Humane Society, which in turn called the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB).

“We were able to deploy two inspectors to the location in which the snake was already contained by the time we had gotten there,” said Jessica Ann Miura, DAB plant quarantine inspector and acting land vertebrate specialist.

Biosecurity officers took possession of the snake, which is nonvenomous, near Haleahi Road.

Investigation into possible mate

Testing is now underway to determine its sex.

“There is a possibility that, with illegal pet trade, there could be breeding of illegal animals,” said Miura. “So, typically, knowing what sex kind of determines if we need to look out for a possible mate or potential of other progeny being in the area.”

Residents are reminded that snakes are illegal in Hawaii, officials said. People possessing illegal animals face fines of up to $200,000 and up to three years in prison.

Anyone who sees or knows of illegal animals in Hawaii is encouraged to contact the state’s toll-free pest hotline at 643-7378 or turn them in under the state’s amnesty program.

Why snakes threaten Hawaii

Snakes have no natural predators in Hawaii and pose a serious threat to the environment because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat, officials said. Many species, such as the ball python, prey on birds and bird eggs, increasing the threat to endangered native bird species.

“What we don’t want is any of our already delicate rainforest birds to be threatened by the establishment of any snake species,” Miura said. “They can affect our seabirds that nest on the ground or our rainforest birds that nest in the trees.”

Large snakes may also threaten the health and safety of humans, pets and other domestic animals, officials said. Ball pythons can grow up to 6 feet in length and are common in the pet trade on the mainland.

Python to remain in state custody

Miura said for now, the python will remain in state custody.

“There’s no hurry, because we have some contacts on the mainland who we work with frequently,” Miura said. “But because it’s such an ordeal to ship them out, we can typically house them and take care of them. If we get too many and they’re taking over our animal room, we will contact them to see when we can send them out.”