Deadly Island of Ilha da Queimada Grande
Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as Snake Island, is one of the most dangerous and forbidden places on Earth. Located about 33 kilometers off the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, this island is infamous not for its scenic beauty, but for the deadly creatures that inhabit it — thousands of venomous snakes, particularly the golden lancehead pit viper (Bothrops insularis).
The golden lancehead is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. Its venom can melt human flesh and kill in less than an hour without medical intervention. This species exists only on this island, making it critically endangered — yet extremely lethal. Estimates suggest that there is one snake for every square meter on the island, although more recent surveys claim that number has decreased due to habitat changes and limited food sources.
Access to Ilha da Queimada Grande is strictly controlled by the Brazilian Navy. Only scientists with special government permission are allowed to visit, and always with proper protective gear. Even the bravest adventurers or thrill-seeking tourists are banned from setting foot on the island. The ban serves a dual purpose: to protect people from the deadly serpents and to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the golden lancehead, which faces extinction without its natural habitat.
The island’s name — “Queimada” — refers to the old practice of attempting to clear the land by setting it on fire. Historical records suggest early settlers tried to develop the island for farming, but the overwhelming number of snakes made any human settlement impossible.
There is also an eerie legend surrounding a lighthouse on the island. It’s said that the last lighthouse keeper and his family were killed by snakes that entered their home through windows. Whether myth or truth, the story adds another layer of fear to the island’s already terrifying reputation.
What makes Ilha da Queimada Grande even more unique is its isolation. Since the golden lancehead has evolved in seclusion, it developed a more potent venom than its mainland relatives, allowing it to quickly immobilize birds — its primary prey — before they escape. This evolutionary trait is a stark reminder of how island ecosystems can produce strange and deadly adaptations.
Despite its lethal nature, the island has become an object of fascination among scientists, herpetologists, and even documentary filmmakers. Studying the golden lancehead helps researchers understand snake evolution, venom toxicity, and island biodiversity. However, conservation remains a challenge, especially with illegal poaching threatening the snake’s future.
Ilha da Queimada Grande is a paradox — a forbidden island teeming with deadly life, a paradise for snakes but a nightmare for humans. Its story is a chilling example of how nature, when left undisturbed, can evolve into something both beautiful and terrifying.
