Snake Island: The True Story of the Most Inhabited Island by Snakes on Earth

Ophidiophobia is the scientific name for snake phobia. The worst nightmare for anyone with this condition is to suddenly find themselves falling into a snake island. It's natural to be afraid of these sliding, crawling and sometimes poisonous creatures that kill thousands of people around the world every year, even without a complete phobia. But a small island measuring 430,000 square meters, or just 106 acres, is packed enough with snakes to trigger snake phobia in anyone. Today we will talk about this island, whose name is Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as the Snake Island in Brazil.

This snake island is simply full of snakes, and the latter are not just small sphincters. The island is home to Sam's cousin Fer-de-lance, the most dangerous deadly snake in the Americas. Let's now learn the true story of the island as we explore its history and dispel the myths surrounding this horrific place.

Where is Snake Island located?

Elia da Quimada Granji, also known as the Snake Island, is a small island located off the coast of the southeastern part of Brazil. Its territory is part of the state of São Paulo, and it is worth noting that it has several different types of terrain, including a small part of the rainforest.

Brazil's Snake Island is located about 20 miles off the mainland coast, enough distance to prevent snakes from reaching the South American continent. Given that these snakes have very strong venom, this fact is a relief for many people.

The name of the island does not literally translate to (Snake Island). Instead, it refers to trying to deforestate by burning island plants. A massive forest fire was ignited and the area was evacuated for banana cultivation on the island in the early twentieth century. Of course, this failed when locals realized the large number of deaths that would occur among residents already living on the island.

Interestingly, the island used to be the site of a lighthouse that housed its guards, but this lighthouse is now operating automatically with annual repairs by the Brazilian Navy.

It is not difficult to hear several legends about what happened to the last lighthouse keepers. Some claim that snakes on the island launched a unified attack on them, sneaking into their bedroom through windows, biting their family members as they fled to no avail, and thus dying in the forest. But this account is more likely to be untrue.

What snakes live on Snake Island?

Elia da Cameda Granji is home to the snake called Bothrups insularis, also known as the golden spearhead snake. This snake is one of the relatives of the most deadly snake on the mainland, the Ver de lance. It is worth noting that this snake is only found on the island of snakes, there is no other place on earth where you can find this animal.

The prevailing theory to explain the former fact is that this animal species became trapped on the island after the end of the last ice age more than 11,000 years ago. The rise in sea water has inundated the land section connecting the Snake Island to the mainland.

The snake with a golden spearhead is very special. They are light yellow and light brown, especially on their underside. It also shares the same unique head shape as the Ver de Lance snake, a long head with a point at the nose resembling a spear blade.

This snake is extremely dangerous, but let's analyze the reality of this animal through the extraordinary legend that surrounds it.

How dangerous is a snake with a golden spearhead?

The golden spearhead snake is one of the most poisonous snakes in South America. It is believed that the mortality rate for people who get the antidote of her poison is up to 3%. This number increases dramatically if you do not receive any treatment, with a mortality rate of up to 7%. Even if a person survives, they will suffer serious damage to their body.

The venom of the golden spearhead snake is blood-toxic. This means that it attacks erythrocytes and can cause all the different types of physical problems. If you are bitten by a golden-headed snake, you will experience pain, internal bleeding, muscle tissue necrosis, possible brain hemorrhage, and other symptoms.

However, since the Brazilian government prevents people from visiting the island, there are no deaths from snake bites in recent records. This snake is by no means among the most venomous in the world, but it is deadly enough to kill humans easily.

If someone sneaks on the island and gets bitten, they are more likely to face serious health difficulties. Eventually, this person will be about 90 miles from the nearest drug package containing the poison antidote.

How many golden spearheads live on Snake Island?

With few people stepping foot on the island, and with its reputation as home to killer snakes, you might think that golden-headed snakes rule the snake island like reptile kings. But in reality, the survival of this rare species of snake in the future is far from certain.

The number of golden spearheads snakes on Snake Island is estimated at only 2,400 to 2,900. Given that this is the only place on Earth where these snakes live, they are an endangered snake species.

In the past, it has been estimated that up to 400,000 or more snakes live on the island. People thought there was one snake per square meter, but that's not true. Quite simply, there are not enough food resources on the island to support so many residents. In fact, it is likely that there has never been a source of food capable of enough for so many snakes in such a small area.

Another serious threat to the golden-spearheaded snake is poaching. Scientific research and the black market for the domestic animal trade have made these snakes incredible value. As a result, criminals tried to seize and smuggle rare snakes for $10,000 to $30,000 per specimen.

Instead of the previously mentioned figure, there will probably be one snake per 140 square meters. But when you take into account the small area of the island where snakes are more frequent, by staying away from the rocky outcrops, there will still be so many snakes that the average person does not want to spend even a little time on those lands.

What do snakes eat on Snake Island?

There are no animals on the island of snakes, there is no doubt that snakes have wiped it out. Snakes prey on migratory birds of bad fate that stop on the island for a break. Snakes wait in the trees for the birds to land, and have developed a powerful and fast-acting venom to kill the birds before they fly away.

To make matters worse for isolated snakes, deforestation efforts on the mainland have reduced the number of migratory birds to the island. So there is more competition with less food for snakes. The number of residents is likely to decrease as a result.

Can you visit Snake Island?

The Brazilian government has closed access to the island in order to protect humans and snakes. The Brazilian navy restricts access to the island, but visits the lighthouse to make repairs every year.

There are very few researchers who have permission to go to the island. When they go there, they are required to obtain specific consent for this matter, and they must also be accompanied by certified doctors.

Since the snakes on the island are unique, government restrictions may not be enough to prevent some criminals from coming to the area. But reports of "biopirates" visiting the island and bringing snakes to researchers and snake pickers can be exaggerated or even completely false, given the danger involved in going to Snake Island.

In short, it can be said that Ilya da Kimada Granji is not a place that lives up to legend. However, it is extremely dangerous and should not be a destination for anyone. A person will not only face severe legal complications from going to the island without permission, but may also lose their life. So it's best to see and admire the golden spearhead snake while you're at a great distance from it, such as through a computer screen.