MPI admits snake mistake

The snake that popped out of a Nissan Leaf in Auckland last week was not Japanese – and is likely Australian.

The Ministry of Primary Industries has admitted misidentifying the snake as being a Japanese rat snake.

“The snake has now been formally identified as a tropical species,” an MPI spokesperson told AutoTalk. “It is therefore unlikely to have originated from Japan.”

“The snake is a male green tree snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus), which is very similar to a Japanese rat snake. The correct identification could only be made on close inspection of the dead snake.”

The species is non-venomous and not regarded as dangerous to humans. It is found in eastern and tropical Australia, the Torres Strait Islands and New Guinea.

“It is unlikely this species could survive a New Zealand winter or naturalise here, as its natural range is confined to tropical and subtropical areas,” the MPI spokesperson explained.

MPI explains it is still investigating how the snake got into the car.

“At this stage, it appears most likely to have entered the vehicle en route from Japan.”

“MPI takes the threat of a snake population establishing in New Zealand very seriously. This is why MPI runs a multi-layered biosecurity system that involves ensuring that risks from imported vehicles are managed off-shore as much as possible. It is also why we have trained personnel to handle detections safely and effectively.”