Where should I expect to find snakes on American Flag Islands in the Pacific Region?
Most inhabited islands are known to or could have the tiny blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) on land and have the potential for other sea snakes. Most island sea snakes are likely to be seen only under unusual sea conditions (see linked page for likely candidates and descriptions of sea snakes most likely to be seen). Islands in the State of Hawaii, Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau have recorded sea snake sightings, but only in Palau would sea snakes be expected to be regularly encountered. The central islands in Palau have several terrestrial snakes (on land as opposed to in the ocean): the Bronze-backed snake, the Pacific Island boa, the Dog-faced water snake, and the Blind snake. However, outlying islands and island groups in Palau are snake-free (e.g., Kayangel Atoll). The distinction between snake-free islands and those with native snakes may seem academic because native snakes have not caused negative impacts on man apart from the momentary fright of a
