Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We recently purchased our first snake, a pretty Okeetee corn, and we love him! We're both in the military and we received orders to Hawaii. Now I've heard a rumor that pet snakes aren't allowed in Hawaii. Does anyone know if this is true? Are they a threat to the animals that are naturally there?

I'm very sorry, but,

"Kahului - A two-and-a-half-foot live corn snake was turned in this morning to the Maui Humane Society after it was found over the weekend by a youth in the Peahi area, near Haiku on Maui. Inspectors from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture took custody of the snake, which will be transported tomorrow to the Plant Quarantine Branch on Oahu.

"Although illegal in Hawaii, corn snakes are common in much of the mainland United States and northern Mexico. These nonvenomous snakes can grow more than six feet long with a normal diet of small mammals (mice and rats) and poultry (birds and their nestlings).

"Persons possessing illegal animals are subject to stiff penalties, including fines of up to $200,000 and up to three years in jail. Individuals with illegal pets are encouraged to turn them in under the department's Amnesty Program. Anyone with information or knowledge of illegal animals in Hawaii is asked to call the department's PEST HOTLINE at 586-PEST(7378)."

The url is http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/01-03.htm in case you want to check the site further. I also found this:

"For example, the following are prohibited from entry or possession by private individuals in the State.

Alligators

Bulbuls

Coconut crabs

Electric catfishes

Ferrets

Gerbils

Hamsters

Hermit crabs

Land snails

Lion fishes

Lories

Monk parakeets

Piranhas

Snakes

Snapping turtles

Toucans"

And, yes, it looks to me like the way they frame the argument against these animals is that they are a threat to the local fauna.

That's awful, I was already thinking of getting another one. Thanks for all of the great info though.

im no genius about corn snakes but isn't rare for one to get over 6 ft in length. But the way i read the article it made it sound as if they are regularily reach 6ft and longer.

It's a monster.

but aren't most corns shorter than 5 feet? Or am i mistaken?

Yes the article is misleading. An average adult corn (5 yrs. old) is between 3-5 feet with the rare case getting up near 6 feet.
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Matt from Minnesota

You sure that's a full-blooded corn? It almost looks like a hybrid of some sort...it's kinda far away to tell though, so I may be wrong..