Are There Snakes in Maui? Should You Be Worried?

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Maui has a reputation as part of the Hawaiian paradise, where everything appears peaceful and stunningly beautiful.

You may have even heard there are no snakes in Maui.

While no land snakes are native to the island, and all best efforts aside with laws making it illegal to bring snakes to Hawaii, locals and visitors have spotted snakes in Maui.

So… Are There Snakes in Maui?

Maui works diligently to keep the island snake-free.

Laws make it illegal for a resident to own a pet snake or for anyone to bring a snake to Maui.

Penalties include serving up to three years in jail and paying $200,000.

Maui officials stay vigilant in keeping the island as snake-free as possible.

Personnel carefully search planes and boats for snakes.

Despite best efforts, and even though locals boast of their snake-free environment, some snakes exist in Maui.

Snakes typically travel from location to location via land.

Since Maui is on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, it has no land connections to any continent.

So, the natural migration of snakes on land can’t happen.

Maui has no native land snakes.

Any snakes found in Maui arrived by accident or were introduced by humans.

While there are no native land or indigenous snakes in Maui, some snakes have arrived and call this island home.

Some non-native snakes have found a way to inhabit Maui.

Usually, they hitch a ride in plants, on trade boats, or with humans traveling.

Many Hawaiian locals have never seen a snake.

As incredible as that sounds, the lack of first-hand snake knowledge opens the door to a fascination with smuggling these slithery creatures in through the black market, shipping packages, or hidden in luggage.

Snake Species in Maui

Some snake species found in Maui include:

1. Brahminy blind snake
2. Yellow-bellied sea snake
3. Brown tree snake
4. Ball python
5. Garter snake
6. Gopher Snake

Brahminy Blind Snake

The Brahmminy blind snake, also known as the Hawaiian blind snake or flowerpot snake, commonly makes its home in Asia or Africa.

It most likely first showed up in Maui from imported soil.

People often mistake them for earthworms because they are so small.

They also pose little threat since they are non-venomous.

Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake

The yellow-bellied sea snake is an eel-like invader and resides in the seas of Maui.

The water snake has a harmful and venomous bite.

However, don’t worry too much about this slivering danger while swimming.

These snakes tend to stay well hidden.

Scientists looking to uncover these snakes find it difficult to locate them for research.

Still, always use extreme caution when you see a snake in the water.

Brown Tree Snake

Don’t let the name fool you.

Just because the word tree is in its name doesn’t mean that’s the only place you may find these snakes.

This highly prolific and invasive snake, discovered in Guam in 1953, quickly destroyed wildlife and birds.

Most likely, they arrived in Maui on cargo ships.

Their natural habitat includes grasslands and forests in the Solomon Islands.

The brown tree snake adapts easily to thrive in almost any environment.

It can camouflage and climb trees.

They have large eyes and fantastic night vision.

They exhibit long, hollow fangs to inject venom into their victims.

Ball Python

The ball python is native to Africa.

However, in recent years, three ball pythons made their way to Hawaii.

They probably belonged to individuals attempting to keep them as pets.

The ball python grows to six feet long and preys on small rodents and birds.

The python is non-venomous but suffocates its prey.

Garter Snake

Garter snakes, not considered harmful to humans, have occasionally made their way to the island.

These species of snake usually dwell in North America.

The garter snake has a neurotoxin venom, but it’s a small amount that is not enough to do more than potentially cause swelling in people.

Gopher Snake

Reports of a 3.5-foot gopher snake emerged in 2023 from the Upcountry Maui.

Reportedly, a local saw some children playing with the gopher snake in the street.

Thankfully, the snake was not venomous, and no one was injured. Residents captured the gopher snake.

Is it Safe to Go on a Trek in Maui?

Many consider Maui as a paradise with its beauty.

However, be aware of potential hazards when heading on a trek in Maui.

Hawaiian legend claims that anyone who takes lava rocks or sand from the island will receive a curse from their goddess, Pele.

Always avoid wildlife, plants, and insects you are not familiar with.

Some insects grow large in Hawaii.

Some plants are poisonous.

Also, cliff diving is popular but potentially extremely dangerous.

If you enjoy the beaches, be aware of sun poisoning and shark attacks, though rare.

Also, look out for falling coconuts or standing under a waterfall where rocks or debris often falls.

Interesting Snake Facts in Maui

In 2018, Maui purposely introduced sterile male brown tree snakes to train dogs to hunt them.

Two garter snakes made their way to Maui on separate occasions.

Both, however, arrived in a shipment of Christmas trees from America.

3 Safety Tips for Exploring Nature in Maui

Of course, always use precaution when stepping out into unknown territory.

Maui local experts advise you to follow these three safety tips when exploring nature in Maui:

1. Always obey all posted signs regarding trails, beaches, and roadways. And, stick to the trail when hiking, and always follow any trailhead markers to avoid getting lost.
2. Pay attention to daily weather forecasts, and heed any warnings about weather advisories.
3. Never drink water from freshwater ponds or streams. Do not enter any body of water with an open cut.

Summary

Generally speaking, Maui offers a tropical paradise for visitors and locals.

Even though the island has no native land snakes, be aware that it is possible to encounter a snake that has found its way to Maui.

Maui Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Maui Safety Review

Safety Index:

91

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW