Snakes in Hawaii !
Snakes, not worms.
The herpetological inventory (reptiles and amphibians) in West Hawai’i Island national parks was developed in order to determine which species of amphibians and reptiles have established populations on park lands in Hawaii, and if any of the species pose a threat to native Hawaiian ecosystems. We surveyed three national park units on the west side of the Big Island: Puuhonua o Hōnaunau, Kaloko-Honokōhau, and Puukoholā Heiau (PUHE). While the majority of the “herps” that we encountered during the surveys are familiar to most Hawai’i residents, I noticed that one particularly seldom-seen species was often found at PUHE: a blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), usually located low on the trunks of kiawe trees.
The blind snake is one of two species of snakes found in Hawaii, the other being the yellow-bellied sea snake, a rare visitor to Hawaiian waters. The blind snake usually goes unnoticed due to its burrowing lifestyle and its superficial resemblance to worms. Before working at PUHE my only encounter with a blind snake was the unexpected emergence of an individual through a crack in the tile of my bathroom floor. Due to the scarcity of tile floors at the historic site, I decided to venture into habitats slightly less anthropogenic. Based on second hand accounts I expected to find blindsnakes beneath potted plants in wet, shaded gardens — so to find the snakes climbing trees in dry, dusty soil was a real surprise.
This pan-Asian fossorial (underground) species of snake was introduced to Hawaii around 1930 from the Philippines. An unusual characteristic of the blind snake is that it is the only known species of snake to be parthenogenic; that is, all members of this species are female. For the full inventory report visit: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/techr/141/v141.pdf
— Jason Bazzano, Field biotech
A blind snake climbing a kiawe tree.
Don't worry, this small species of snake doesn't bite.
I’ve been on the Kona side for 2 years and haven’t seen 1 yet! Mahalo!
found one on Kauai in 2001 at Lydgate park
I have found two within the last couple of months they are silver in color, I have one captive now.
There are no snakes native to Hawaii. If you found them they were brought here. We need to raise awareness on this issue.
This pan-Asian fossorial (underground) species of snake was introduced to Hawaii around 1930 from the Philippines.
The yellow-bellied sea snake is native to Hawaiian waters in that it arrives here, albeit very rarely, on its own. But you are certainly correct that there are no native terrestrial snakes in Hawaii.
I had heard that there two species of blind snakes in Hawaii but that may just be consfusion on mine or someone elses part. I have seen several of these small black snakes when digging (such as that is in Hawaii) and when removing an old plastic swimming pool ) catchment liner. This was on the Kona side of the Big Island.
One hears of occasional reports of snakes here, probably escaped pets. So far no infestations. Can’t believe people are foolish enough to sneak in pet snakes, as if our remaining native birds don’t have enough problems.
I found one of the small black snakes in our
pool today. Kona side of Hawaii.
i just found a blind snake today landscaping in florida. never seen one before this
Wow! They are industrious little things aren’t they? lol
Although the Brahmin blind snake is not native, it is a fascinating denizen of our lowland urbanized and rural landscapes in Hawaiʻi, but donʻt play too hard with them, when overly disturbed they excrete a foul-smelling musk that reminds of fresh hot dog droppings!
Mu daughter caught one tonight in Honolulu. On a walk
wow! thanks for sharing!
Just found two o
n Maui on my farm
For a blog entry on the blindsnake:
http://www.maui.net/maui-people/blog/309/
Fascinating report. When I lived in Capt. Cook in 2000, I was lucky enough to see a Ramphotyphlops braminus while working in my garden. You are right, I thought it was a worm at first and then realized what I was looking at was the rare blind snake. I left her alone. My other encounters with snakes were all of the rattler species on the mainland and so this benign snake was a relief. Thanks again.
I have found 2 of these in my swimming pool, in Kihei, Maui. The first one I saw a few years ago was swimming in my pool the same time I was (about scared the $#!t out of me!). It wasn’t very small either! The second one I found today, at the bottom of my pool. Googled it to see what it was, and I found this page! Found out everything I wanted to know! Thanks for the info!
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