Snakes in Hawaii: identification guide and best places to start

Yes, but the answer is nuanced. Hawaii has one established snake species, the Brahminy blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), which is harmless. This parthenogenetic species, consisting only of females that reproduce without males, spreads slowly through the soil. Occasionally, larger snakes arrive via cargo shipments, but none have established wild populations except the blind snake. The state actively monitors for invasive species because even one breeding population of an aggressive snake could devastate Hawaii's unique, isolated ecosystem where native birds and reptiles evolved without natural predators.

The Brahminy blind snake is the only naturalized species. It is thin, pink or brown, and rarely exceeds 8 inches. It lives underground in moist soil and feeds on ant larvae. Occasional stowaways that have been captured include the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), ball python (Python regius), boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), and various Burmese pythons. None of these have established breeding populations. The brown tree snake is of particular concern because in Guam it caused ecological collapse by preying on native birds. Hawaii works hard to prevent it from gaining a foothold.

Your best odds are in residential backyards or near cargo areas. Brahminy blind snakes live underground in moist soil, often surfacing after heavy rain when their burrows flood. Larger snakes occasionally turn up near airports, harbors, ports, or shipping facilities, having hitched a ride on ships or aircraft. Check under logs, rocks, leaf litter, and mulch in gardens, landscaping, and along trails. Urban gardens with loose soil and adequate moisture support small populations of blind snakes. Agricultural areas, especially around nurseries and greenhouses with imported plants, can also harbor these snakes.

See our state wildlife page for more Hawaiian wildlife.

In Hawaii, snake sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where people are most likely to notice them. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

Sightings peak after heavy rain when blind snakes are forced to the surface to escape waterlogged burrows. Warmer months (May to October) increase snake activity if any are present, as reptiles are more active in warm conditions. Nighttime searches with a flashlight can reveal nocturnal species. The wet season, which runs from November to March on windward sides and varies on leeward areas, is when you are most likely to encounter a Brahminy blind snake on the surface. However, remember that Hawaii's overall snake sightings remain rare events, not regular occurrences, even in optimal conditions.

Snakes have no eyelids or external ear openings, and their entire body is covered in overlapping scales arranged in rows. In Hawaii, the most common lookalike is the large centipede, which has many legs and a flatter body. Lizards like skinks have visible legs, eyelids, and ear openings. The Brahminy blind snake is thin, shiny, smooth, and moves like a worm with a burrowing motion. If you see a snake longer than 12 inches, it is likely an introduced species and should be reported to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The blind snake's tiny eyes appear as small dark dots beneath its scales, unlike the complete absence of eyes in earthworms.