Snake Island: The most terrifying place on Earth?

Off the coast of Brazil, near São Paulo, lies an island that, at first glance, might seem like a paradise. But this is merely an illusion. Ilha da Queimada Grande, or as many know it, “Snake Island,” is one of the most dreaded places on Earth, home to the highest concentration of venomous snakes anywhere in the world. Estimates suggest between 2,000 and 4,000 golden lancehead vipers (Bothrops insularis) inhabit this mere 43-hectare landmass, meaning in some spots, there could be one snake per square meter.

The golden lancehead viper is among the deadliest snake species globally. Its venom is three to five times more potent than that of its mainland relatives and can kill a person in under an hour. Local legends recount tragic fates that awaited those who ventured onto the island – like a fisherman found dead in his boat days later, covered in snake bites. Even the last lighthouse keeper and his family are said to have succumbed to snakes that slithered into their home.

But how did this island become so overrun with snakes? They weren’t placed there by pirates to guard treasure, as some rumours recommend. Approximately 11,000 years ago, rising sea levels cut off Ilha da Queimada Grande from mainland Brazil. The snake species stranded there – likely close relatives of the jararaca snake – were left without ground predators and reproduced rapidly. With no ground-level prey either, the snakes adapted by climbing trees to hunt migratory birds. To do this effectively, they evolved an incredibly potent, fast-acting venom, capable of killing their prey almost instantly, as they couldn’t track the birds once bitten.

Due to the extreme danger, the Brazilian government strictly controls access to the island. Only the Brazilian Navy makes an annual stop for lighthouse maintenance, and biologists and researchers are granted special permission to visit for studying the golden lanceheads. This research is crucial, as snake venom holds promising pharmaceutical potential, especially in treating heart disease, circulation problems, and blood clots, and even in developing anti-cancer drugs.

Unfortunately, the golden lancehead viper is now critically endangered due to poachers, illegal trade (a single snake can fetch between $10,000 and $30,000 on the black market), habitat degradation, and disease. While this might make “Snake Island” slightly less terrifying for humans, it’s dire news for the snakes’ future.

Source: Smithonian Magazine

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