The nonvenomous snake, which came in a shipment of trees from Beaver Creek, Ore., was turned over to the state Agriculture Department's plant quarantine branch. Garter snakes have been found in Christmas tree shipment containers in the past, said state agriculture inspector Domingo Cravalho, an animal specialist.

"I believe it was a stowaway or a hitchhiker," said Cravalho of the snake found Saturday at 345 Hahani St. "When the trees are inspected (on the Mainland), they are shaken and lay on the ground before they are loaded. We've found garter snakes in containers here before."

Cravalho said the state is working with Honolulu Zoo personnel to get the snake back to the mainland the next time a shipment of animals is made. Until then, it will be on display at the plant quarantine branch.

The majority of Christmas trees bound for Hawai'i are mechanically shaken and/or inspected before shipping from the Pacific Northwest, said state agriculture spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi. The public is asked to report unusual insects or any snakes found in Christmas trees to the Hawai'i Departmenrt of Agriculture pest hotline at 586-PEST (7378).