Mongoose, snakes and other animals that don't belong

Many animals you see in Hawaiʻi were brought by people. The mongoose was imported in 1883 to fight rats in sugar fields and now preys on native birds and turtle eggs; it lives on Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island but not Kauaʻi or Lānaʻi. Snakes are illegal in Hawaiʻi; report any sighting to 808-643-7378.

• Mongoose: brought from India in 1883 for rat control; it hunts by day while rats are active at night, so it barely helped. It eats eggs of ground-nesting birds and sea turtles.
• Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi have no known mongoose populations; stray ones caught at Kauaʻi's harbor and airport are trapped quickly.
• Snakes, large reptiles and many other animals are illegal to own or bring in. Penalties can reach a $200,000 fine and three years in prison.
• Amnesty: hand over an illegal animal before an investigation begins and there's no penalty; drop-offs at humane societies, the zoo or state agriculture offices.
• Report snakes or illegal animals to the state Pest Hotline: 808-643-PEST (7378).
• Other well-known arrivals: feral chickens (common on Kauaʻi), wild pigs, and coquí frogs on Hawaiʻi Island.

Sources: Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture: Amnesty program · Hawaiʻi Public Radio: Mongoose caught on Kauaʻi

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.