The Brazilian Island is So Overrun With Deadly Snakes That Humans Are Forbidden to Visit
Ilha da Queimada Grande, better known as Snake Island, sits off Brazil’s coast and holds a reputation unlike any other. The island is overrun with golden lancehead vipers, a snake species that exists nowhere else. Their venom is so dangerous that Brazil has closed the island to the public. Outside of occasional visits by scientists and the navy, no one is allowed to set foot there.
A Deadly Home to the Golden Lancehead
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The golden lancehead, or Bothrops insularis, is the star (or rather, the terror) of Snake Island. This venomous pit viper is closely related to the Fer-de-lance, one of the deadliest snakes in the Americas. The golden lancehead’s venom is incredibly potent, capable of causing severe internal bleeding, muscle damage, and even brain hemorrhages. If untreated, the venom can kill a person within hours. While the snake’s venom is primarily designed to immobilize birds, its effects on humans can be devastating.
The golden lancehead is the only species of snake found on Snake Island. This exclusivity is due to the island’s isolation, which began after the last ice age, when rising sea levels separated the island from the mainland. This separation allowed the golden lancehead to evolve in a unique environment, adapting to a specific niche where it preys on migrating birds.
How Many Snakes Live on Snake Island?
Though it covers only 106 acres (about 430,000 m²), Snake Island holds an estimated 2,400 to 2,900 golden lanceheads. Older claims put the number in the hundreds of thousands, which gave rise to the myth of a snake for every square meter. The reality is far less dramatic: food is limited, and fewer migratory birds reach the island today, which keeps the population lower than legend suggests.
The population of golden lanceheads is critically endangered. Habitat destruction, poaching, and fewer migrating birds have all contributed to the species’ decline. The snakes are highly sought after in the black market, where they can fetch up to $30,000 each. However, despite these threats, Snake Island remains off-limits to the general public, with access granted only to a select few researchers under strict government supervision.
Myths and Legends
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Over the years, Snake Island has become the subject of many myths and legends. One of the most popular stories is about the last lighthouse keepers on the island. It is said that the snakes staged a coordinated attack on the keepers, entering their bedrooms through the windows and killing them as they tried to flee. While this sounds like something out of a horror movie, there is no evidence to support it. The real danger lies in the number of snakes and the potency of their venom, which makes Snake Island a terrifying place for anyone who dares to set foot on it.
Local fishermen are also wary of the island, with some claiming they would die if they attempted to visit. However, these tales are more a result of fear and superstition than actual incidents. Still, the danger posed by the snakes is very real, and it’s no wonder that Snake Island’s reputation has only grown over the years.
Why Can’t We Visit?
Visiting Snake Island is prohibited by the Brazilian government, and for good reason. The island is not only home to a population of venomous snakes but also lacks the necessary infrastructure and medical facilities to treat snake bites. The Brazilian navy is responsible for maintaining the lighthouse, and they make regular trips to the island for repairs, but other visits are strictly controlled. Researchers who wish to study the golden lanceheads must obtain special permission, and doctors and safety teams usually accompany them.
The Brazilian government’s efforts to restrict access are meant to protect both the snakes and the people. Without these regulations, the island’s already fragile ecosystem could suffer further, and poaching would likely increase. Though some criminals, known as “bio pirates,” have been reported attempting to smuggle snakes off the island, the risks are so high that only the most daring or desperate would attempt such a venture.
A Dangerous and Mysterious Place
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Snake Island is a place that seems to belong more to legend than reality. Its isolation has allowed the golden lancehead to evolve into a unique and deadly species, but it has also put the species at risk of extinction. The myths surrounding the island add to its mystique, but the truth is that it is a treacherous and unforgiving place where humans are unwelcome.
With the Brazilian government’s ban on visitors, Snake Island remains a mystery to most. The golden lancehead may be one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but its home is also one of the most fascinating. However, the risks of encountering these snakes up close are simply too great, and it’s probably best to admire this eerie island from the safety of a screen. After all, some places are meant to be left alone.