It is illegal to own and transport snakes in Hawaii because if the non-native reptiles were to gain a foothold, it could be devastating to native wildlife.

So when a gopher snake was discovered Saturday in a shipment of Christmas trees being unloaded at a Hilo store, alarm bells rang.

“Store personnel unloaded approximately half of the container before discovering the snake, then closed the container and called the Hawaii Department of Agriculture,” the agency said in a news release. “Inspectors in Hilo responded and captured the two-foot snake. The inspectors checked each Christmas tree and the inside of the container.”

No other snakes were found, but the discovery underscored the high level of concern as Christmas trees begin to arrive for the holidays.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture stated that an estimated 135 shipping vessels holding thousands of trees and wreaths will unload at ports in Hawaii this season. So far, approximately 46,450 Christmas trees have been delivered.

But for the Department of Agriculture, trying to control the presence of snakes, which have no natural predators in the wild, is a year-round effort.

Last April, a health check at a nursing home in Honolulu resulted in discovery of a live python which measured 3-1/2 feet.

Last January, a 20-inch gopher snake was found in a shipping container being unloaded at a Molokai hardware store. Police arrived and killed the snake with a pellet gun.

Possession of illegal animals in Hawaii is a Class C felony. Violators face fines of up to $200,000 and up to three years in prison.