Young ‘Flying Tree Snake’ Captured on Oahu

Military personnel on Thursday captured a young tree snake at Hickam Air Force Base on Oahu.

The juvenile ornate tree snake was identified by a herpetologist at the Bishop Museum.

It is also known as a “flying tree snake” for its ability to spring from tree to tree, was found in a maintenance bay near the airfield.

Inspectors from the state Department of Agriculture took custody of the foot-long reptile.

Agriculture officials said ornate tree snakes are native to Southeast Asia and their diet consists of lizards, mice, bats and birds.

They are mildly venomous and are related to the brown tree snake which has devastated the ecosystem of Guam.

Agriculture officials said it was not known how the snake got into Hawaii.

Air Force personnel are continuing their surveys of the area.