A nonvenomous gopher snake was found at the Matson Navigation Co.'s container yard on June 13, the state Department of Agriculture announced yesterday.

The 3 1/2-foot snake was found by a Matson employee at Pier 52 and turned over to the Department of Agriculture.

It was not known how the snake ended up in Hawai'i.

Snakes are illegal in the state because they pose a threat to the environment and could harm the public and small pets. Some prey on birds and their eggs, posing a threat to endangered native bird populations.

Gopher snakes, which are common on the Mainland, eat birds, rodents and lizards. They can grow up to 9 feet long.

Officials ask anyone with information about illegal animals to call the state's pest hot line at 643-7378.

Under the department's amnesty program, people who own illegal animals can turn them in to any Department of Agriculture office, municipal zoo or Humane Society with no questions asked and no fines assessed.