Ok, so I found out today that a Habu was caught a few feet from my home (Sebille Manor KAB) - Just wanted people to know that THEY ARE AROUND! Be careful! 

yes they ARE. . . We saw one not too long ago near our house on Kadena as well. 

thanks for the heads up! 

Scary! :/ I love snakes, but I don't love them enough to get "kissed" by one. + I don't want my doggies to get bit.. or anyone for that matter. 

That is my though exactly, it was literally in the backyard. Be careful! 

We live on Kadena, and we have had Three in our yard. 

Is it common for these snakes to come into your home? I'm paranoid I'll find one lurking. =o/ If at all possible, how do you habu proof your house? 

Wow, according to wikipedia Habu venom only carries a fatality rate of 3%. Snakes scare the bajeezies outta me. 

I love snakes.. but not "bad" ones :) The thing I am worried about most, is my chihuahua, she is only 2.6 lbs so, it would most likely kill her! :( + Like I said before, I don't want ANYONE to get bit either. 

I am terrified of snakes. When I was 8 mos pregnant with my daughter, my husband showed me a bottle of Habu Sake so I knew what to watch out for. I started crying uncontrollably right THERE in the Shoppette! 

I am very familiar with snakes.... I just posted this as a warning, and definently not to cause anyone any worry. Habu are a nocturnal snake, so they are rarely seen during the day, a lot of people on Okinawa, especially on Kadena, think when they see a snake that it is automatically a Habu - Most times, this is NOT the case. There is a snake very common on Okinawa which has simailar markings to the Habu and is completely harmless (I know everyone is thinking 'Harmless.... Whatever!') But really, they are, they are more commonly seen during the day time and evening hours because they are not a nocturnal snake, you will be very unlucky to be bitten or even see a Habu during daylight hours. There is no way to 'Habu proof' your house, just like there really isn't a 100% Spider proof weapon either. The best thing to do to prevent Habu's coming close to your yard is to minimize the amount of "stuff" you have outside which is not moved frequently. Rubbermaid sheds from the BX/PX are perfect for Habu's to nest under because honestly, how often do we move them! Habu's are a heat sensing snake, so if you are unlucky enough to see one, it probably already has seen you. Again, this message is not to scare anyone, just to make sure everyone keeps and eye on children and pets. Especially as it starts to warm up and the water levels are low. If anyone needs anymore info, I'm happy to answer questions! 

The last one I saw was around 4am. I went and picked up my husband from a poker game and was wearing flipflops. It was on the sidewalk in front of my car. 

Thanks! So does it stick around water or more wooded areas? What bases are they found on more frequently? We haven't heard much about the Habu snakes, just a little bit here & there. Also heard a rumor that if you were bitten once, after being treated, you would have to go back to the states as the treatment would only work once? I don't even know where we heard that, but it sounds silly. 

Yes, that sounds like the typical activity of a Habu, they really only travel and move around at night. Scary in flip flops huh! 

Yeah! I also had my son in my arms. After that I put shoes on when I go out after dark! 

Definently true about the treatment, the main reason is because the poison is so strong, that if you are treated quickly enough it is definently recommened to leave the island, because the treatment is yet to have saved a bite victim twice. 

I heard they live around sugarcane? 

The can only get bit once thing is scary! :( But I like snakes, and I know how to tell them apart.. I am just not familiar with where the habu lives.. I know it is noctornal and likes dark damp places... 

ok...tower livin' isn't so bad after all...no bugs, snakes or mold! I think I will just settle with taking my kids down to the park to play and not complain about not having a back yard! 

k, first thing is i'm deathly afraid of snakes-i'm like EJA and just can't handle them-when i was younger, my sister would chase me around the house with a fold out photo of a snake and i would just cry and scream-she was a turd-i am getting better about the fake plastic snakes though since my little boy likes to play with them. i would probably pass out if i ever saw one out and about, i can't even go to a pet shop where they are. i worry about my little boy, i never want anyone getting bit so we are only going to go outside during super bright hours and i'm keeping my yard super low and all the junk out back is going bye bye. also...this is going to sound like major paranoia but i plug all my drains and close all my toilet lids. haha. i hear a lot of cases on kadena or on foster in the homes near the woods, but over here in sada housing, there is a lot of concrete and pretty well lit. so i dunno, i hope i never see one! 

THAT'S SOO SCARY!!! AHH I GOT GOOSEBUMPS 

We just moved into different housing on base (Kadena), the first housing we were in we got those HUGE brown hairy spiders in our house. I HATE spiders. I screamed everytime we found one. We move into this housing, and our neighbors informed us that in the spring time we have a problem with Habu's AND Banana Spiders... UGH! I am so terrified to have my puppy outside. My husband thinks I am crazy, but if I can't see Bailey, then I go crazy! Imagine if I had kids... Lol. 

im so lost how does habus look? how big they r? help i have kids and i will like t know thank you. 

how does habus look? how big they r? You can google it. 

ok i will thank you 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uchinanchu_earl/2350540535/ This pic was the best I could find..Scary-lookin!! 

Recently there was one (on the side of the road...ALIVE) near Chibana housing outside of Kadena's gate 3. My hubby took a picture of it! 

You also have to watch out for those poisonous, ugly centepedes. They can come in through drains and will curl up in warm places like your beds and shoes. Always check! 

They can come in through drains and will curl up in warm places like your beds and shoes. Ewwww...why did you have to say that!? lol Now I'm going to be paranoid about putting on my shoes! lol I knew about the habu but not the centepedes. Yuck!!! 

They can come in through drains and will curl up in warm places like your beds and shoes. Ewwww...why did you have to say that!? lol Now I'm going to be paranoid about putting on my shoes! lol I knew about the habu but not the centepedes. Yuck!!!