Just off the coast of southern Brazil, there lies a mysterious and dangerous island that many would rather avoid—Queimada Grande, better known as Snake Island. It’s not a place for the faint of heart. The island covers a modest 43 hectares (106 acres), but despite its small size, it’s home to between 2,000 and 4,000 of the world’s most venomous snakes, the golden lancehead vipers (Bothrops insularis), which can grow to 70cm (just over 2ft). The snakes were trapped there around 11,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, when rising sea levels cut them off from the mainland. And trust me, you don’t want to end up here without a plan—or a snake-proof suit.
The Snakes That Rule the Island
What makes Snake Island so fascinating-and utterly terrifying-is the overwhelming number of venomous golden lancehead snakes that call it home. These snakes can grow over 70 cm long (just over 2 feet). In fact, their venom is five times stronger than that of their relatives on the mainland. These snakes carry an extremely powerful fast-acting venom that melts the flesh around their bites. Their venom is incredibly potent and causes a range of horrifying symptoms, from kidney failure to internal bleeding and death in a matter of hours if untreated. However, these deadly properties have prompted some researchers to investigate the venom for medicinal uses, such as treating heart disease and blood clots.
No mammals live on Snake Island, which means these snakes have no natural predators to control their population. However, the island also offers very limited prey options. With few ground animals to hunt, These snakes have evolved this deadly bite to catch the birds that migrate through the island, which they rely on as their main source of food. With few ground animals to hunt, the golden lancehead had to adapt to become a skilled bird hunter, killing its prey quickly before it flies away.
Why You Can’t Visit Snake Island?
Snake Island’s isolation from mainland Brazil has allowed its snake population to thrive unchecked. It’s estimated that there is roughly one snake per square meter (10.8 square feet), which essentially turns the island into a massive snake pit. Golden lanceheads are so dangerous that, the Brazilian government has strictly forbidden anyone from landing on the island without special permission. This is as much to protect the snakes as it is to protect unsuspecting tourists – found nowhere else on Earth, golden lanceheads are considered critically endangered. Extremely determined wildlife smugglers make illegal visits to capture these snakes, however, as their potent venom is prized on the black market.
While no official records of a golden lancehead attacking a human, local folklore in the coastal towns around Queimada Grande enjoy telling two gruesome tales of death associated with Snake Island. In one story, a fisherman mistakenly lands on the island, unaware of its peril. He goes to pick bananas and is bitten by one of the snakes. Though he manages to return to his boat, the venom takes its toll, and he dies shortly after, his body later found in a pool of blood on the boat deck.
Another eerie tale tells of the last lighthouse keeper and his family lived there in the early 1900s. According to legend, a few snakes entered their home through a window one night, attacking the man, his wife, and their three children. Desperate to escape, they fled toward their boat but were bitten by snakes lurking in the trees, leading to their tragic deaths. This story contributed to the island’s haunted reputation, and since then, the lighthouse has been automated, with only the occasional maintenance visit by the Navy.
Know Before You Go
Snake Island is one of the most unique and dangerous places on the planet. It’s a tiny slice of land ruled entirely by snakes, a place where you’re never more than a few feet away from one of the deadliest creatures on Earth. Presently, getting to Snake Island legally requires the cooperation of the Brazilian Navy—and they’re not exactly handing out tickets. Due to the extreme danger posed by the island’s snake population, the Navy only grants access to authorized scientific expeditions. For most of us, that’s a hard pass.
But don’t worry! There are safer, more accessible ways to see these remarkable snakes in mainland Brazil, where they live in captivity.
To do this you have three options:
Butantan Institute, São Paulo: If you’re curious about these deadly creatures, your first stop could be the Butantan Institute in São Paulo. The institute’s Serpentarium houses a collection of golden lanceheads, and with a polite request, you can view them up close (behind glass, of course). It’s a fascinating and safe way to learn about one of the world’s most dangerous reptiles.
São Paulo Zoo: Another option is the São Paulo Zoo, where the snake house includes an enclosure with five adult golden lanceheads. You can admire these beautiful but deadly creatures without worrying about being three feet away from a bite.
Zoológico Municipal Quinzinho de Barros, Sorocaba: For a final option, head to Sorocaba city in the state of São Paulo. At the Zoológico Municipal Quinzinho de Barros, you can see a special golden lancehead living in their reptile house. This snake enjoys the comfort of a secure enclosure, and you can witness it from a safe distance.
These places offer a much safer option to get up close (well, not too close) and personal with these remarkable reptiles.
So, what’s the verdict? Snake Island might be one of the deadliest places on Earth, but it’s also a fascinating spot, full of natural wonders and evolutionary quirks. Just remember, if you ever find yourself stranded there (though let’s hope you don’t), it’s best to avoid the forests and stay on the rocky shore, where you’re unlikely to bump into a golden lancehead.
If you suffer a golden lancehead bite, you’ll need to get medical attention very quickly: the venom can kill in under an hour, although only around seven per cent of people die. The island is patrolled by the navy, so a speedy rescue isn’t impossible.
