Highly venomous sea snake found on Hawaii Island beach

[terracore]

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state is urging the public to be careful after a highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found on a Hilo beach last week.

On Feb. 4, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) was notified by the state land department that a live snake had been found pinned under a log at Honolii Beach.

Lifeguards put the three-foot-long snake in a bucket and handed it over to PQB inspectors.

No one was hurt.

Officials say it’s rare to see yellow-bellied sea snakes on land in Hawaii. Sightings usually occur when strong winds or currents cause them to wash up along the shoreline.

The state advises beach and ocean goers not to touch the snakes, which are often mistaken for eels. They can be distinguished by bright yellow markings on their undersides.

“This type of sea snake can be more venomous than a cobra and potentially lethal to humans,” said Board of Agriculture chair Sharon Hurd.

Hurd said the public should “be wary of any snake-like reptile in or near the ocean.”

Although yellow-bellied sea snakes inhabit the Pacific Ocean, it is illegal to import or possess that species in Hawaii.

If a sea snake is spotted onshore, call the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378).

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/02/14...and-beach/

[Obie]

I remember snorkeling at Waiopae and seeing a snake.

I had an immediate flash back to a Jacques Cousteau special on Wild Kingdom where he saw a snake and commented "All of zee sea snakes are poisonous"

I believe I walked on water that day.

[Punatang]

a highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found on a Hilo beach

Seems like there is one here on PW as well. They may originate from The Gulf of America but that's just a hypothesis.

[kalianna]

This is totally unfair. Iʻve always been led to believe that there are no snakes in Hawaii, much less venemous ones. Now Iʻm gonna be totally paranoid about going in the water.

[MyManao]

Iʻve always been led to believe that there are no snakes in Hawaii..

Actually.. we have a number of snakes here.. and one, the Brahminy Blind Snake which is often thought to be native, tho not it is quite docile and would rather not know you than give you grief..

From.. https://reptile.guide/hawaii-snakes/

The Brahminy blind snake is by far the most common snake in Hawaii...



But there are others.. all shown and explained at the link above.. including the Yellow Bellied Sea Snake..

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Iʻm gonna be totally paranoid about going in the water.

You’re probably OK. Take the number of gallons of seawater surrounding Big Island, divide by one snake…

[kalianna]

Theyʻre on the land too?! How about in the air? Any tree snakes ready to pounce on me as I make my way merrily through the jungle?

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Any tree snakes ready to pounce on me

If they start talking to you, and tell you to go ahead and take a bite out of that guava, mango, papaya, or mountain apple, congratulations, you’re at the genesis of a new religion. Or a good story to tell at the next drum circle.

[HiloJulie]

a highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found on a Hilo beach

Seems like there is one here on PW as well. They may originate from The Gulf of America but that's just a hypothesis.

And what does the Gulf of America have to do with Puna?

Moderator 2?

[Obie]

It has about as much to do with Puna as your signature line.