Queimada Grande is a real snake paradise located near Brazil, Sao Paulo region, in the Atlantic Ocean. This is an island where getting out alive is just a stupid wish. You will not survive visiting this land. This is not a challenge at all, it's just a warning.
What does snake hell mean?
In the warm waters of the Atlantic there is a lonely green island. A person who does not know what is on this piece of land is sure that this is a real piece of paradise. There are no shops, hotels, residential buildings, schools, kindergartens or other institutions on the snake land. This is a completely deserted land. Snakes have literally taken over the island and are its rightful owners. There are from 1 to 5 reptiles per 1m2. The area is literally teeming with them. Bothrops lie in their hundreds on the banks surrounding the green forest. If you swim past, you will see entire nests of snakes on trees and bushes. By the way, fishing and diving are allowed nearby.
Island bothrops
Island bothrops or spear-headed snake. This is the name given to a deadly predator that lives on hidden land. It is small, its length generally reaches one meter. But there is enough poison in the snake for a whole company of strong soldiers. Bothrops prefers trees and bushes, that is, places where it can quickly hide and attack from. The snake is incredibly aggressive, and its venom causes instant tissue death. A person literally begins to decompose when poison enters the body. The color of the snake is not provocative, but its color is quite impressive. It is usually light brown, golden or yellow with dark triangles or spots along the length of the body.
The snake reproduces due to intersexuality. This means that females also develop male reproductive organs. This happens in nature when the population of a certain area is limited. Just imagine how fast reproduction occurs. And one female gives birth to six (!) cubs at once. Agree, nature is crazy!
There is a legend that bothrops snakes appeared on the island of Queimada Grande thanks to pirates to guard treasures.
What do the inhabitants of the island eat?
You are definitely surprised that the island is overflowing with snakes, of which there are only more and more. What do the islanders eat, since entry into their house is strictly prohibited? The answer is simple - migratory birds. Winged animals that are in search of food or a new place to live often stop on this land to gain strength and find food. Birds don't expect this to be their last stop in life. Be a bird for a second. Finally, seeing a dry piece of earth, you sit on a tree branch. And at this moment thousands of hungry eyes are looking at you. There's no need to continue... It's a terrible sight, isn't it?
Death on the island of Queimada Grande
If you think that Queimada Grande has been deserted since its formation, you are mistaken. On the “snake land” there is a lonely lighthouse - the only structure. In the last century, a man lived on the island with a family consisting of a wife and three daughters. He was a lighthouse keeper. Yes, his family was informed about what was beyond the walls of the building, but they were extremely careful. Until a specific time. One night, snakes began to crawl into the caretaker’s windows like a river. The family tried to escape by running into the forest. But there the situation only worsened. The snakes hanging in clusters from the trees attacked all five members of the family, who simply rotted alive from the deadly poison. Their bodies were found on the island a little later.
Have you heard the story about the fisherman? The man stopped in the “snake kingdom” to eat some fruit. He was bitten by snakes at that very moment. Having managed to reach the boat, he died right in it.
Do not consider this land as a vacation option. Snakes don’t need much – one step from the boat to the island and you’re gone. You will be attacked instantly, and death will occur within a matter of moments.
How to get to the island of Queimada Grande?
It is strictly not recommended to visit the island; it is illegal and you will be fined. It's not strange that nowadays you can meet people who like to take such big risks! Entry to snakes is allowed to biologists and no more than once a month. These people are risking their lives for us. So that we can read the exciting stories of the "snake island".
Queimada Grande is a small island in the south of the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, washed on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean. The island's rocks are covered with lush vegetation, dominated by fruit trees, but it is completely deserted. Local residents fear Queimada Grande like fire and call it “the island of death”: rarely does anyone even dare to approach its shores, let alone set foot on the coast. The thing is that the island of Queimada Grande is completely under the control of poisonous snakes and is considered the largest natural serpentarium on the planet, therefore it is protected by the authorities as a nature reserve.
(Bothrops insularis) is one of the most dangerous venomous snakes on Earth. For recent years The population of these snakes has increased significantly - the only consolation is that they are found only on this small Brazilian island. The snake's venom, entering the victim's body, completely paralyzes it and causes rapid tissue necrosis: they begin to disintegrate literally before our eyes, causing unbearable pain. Any living creature, bitten by bothrops, dies very quickly: for example, the mouse dies within just 2-3 seconds after the bite! In addition to this species, there are other species of snakes on the island. Queimada Grande is simply teeming with these reptiles.
Bird's eye view of Queimada Grande Local residents tell many legends about this island. One of them tells the story of an unlucky fisherman who landed on an island to eat some fruit and, naturally, was bitten by bothrops. The man could only run to his boat, where he died. Some time later, other fishermen, sailing by, discovered a boat with a corpse, rocking on the waves off the coast of the ill-fated island. Another story tells of a lighthouse keeper who once stood on the island and his family. At night, while these people were sleeping, their house was overrun by snakes. Waking up, the family tried to leave the island in panic, but they were unable to escape from it: everyone died. Later, military personnel moored off the coast of the island discovered their bodies. The beacon has since been replaced by an automatic one.
The Brazilian authorities have officially prohibited visiting Queimada Grande, but it is already very unlikely that any daredevil would decide to visit this island in search of adventure - such an adrenaline hunt would probably cost him his life. The island bothrops lives its entire life on trees or low bushes, merging with the foliage, so it is very difficult to notice it, but it is easy to provoke it into an attack by touching the branches on which the snake is lying with your foot or shoulder.
Special permits are issued only to serpentologists or film crews specializing in similar topics. Naturally, they all have sufficient experience and many necessary equipment, which includes protective suits and other necessary equipment.
Queimada Grande can easily be called one of the most unique nature reserves on the planet, surrounded by legends and deaths. It will be very interesting to see it from the deck of a ship, but it’s probably not worth swimming to the shore.
This is interesting: Do you know the place where the most snakes live on Earth? Reading.
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The islet of Queimada Grande, located off the coast of Brazil, is home to thousands and thousands of snakes. The island is included in the list of the most dangerous places Earth.
Only the most desperate, whatever... stupid tourists will want to visit this ill-fated point on the world map.
1. One of the country's development companies planned to plant a banana plantation. It didn't work out.
2. The Brazilian Navy forbade anyone to even set foot on this island, let alone engage in agriculture.
Restricted area. Entry prohibited. Photography is prohibited.
3. The island has the world's largest concentration of various species of snakes.
4. The reptiles live off migratory birds, which use the island as a refuge during long flights.
5. The island is known as the habitat of one of the most dangerous snakes in the world - the island bothrops.
Its bite causes rapid tissue necrosis, acute renal failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebral bleeding, and death in 7% of cases. According to statistics, the island botrops is to blame for 90% of human deaths in Brazil.
6. Per 1 sq.m. The island territory has from 1 to 5 snakes.
7. Island bothrops grows a good half meter in length.
8. Snake venom is very fast-acting and melts the skin around the bite.
9. One unenlightened fisherman landed on the island just to collect bananas. He was immediately bitten and later found in a boat in a huge pool of blood.
10. The last lighthouse keeper and his entire family, his wife and two children, were bitten by snakes that entered the room through the window.
When people tried to leave the island, snakes attacked them straight from the trees and bushes. Unfortunately, the family never managed to escape. Since then, a lighthouse has been installed on the island, operating in automatic mode.
This part of the land in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is called Queimada Grande, and is popularly called “Snake Island”. The territory is quite small. Its area is just under 0.5 km², and its height reaches almost 200 meters.
Yes, this place is indeed very dangerous. No wonder the local government even issued a decree prohibiting visiting the island. Queimada Grande is home to a huge number of species of snakes. It is even home to the deadliest snake on earth – the island bothrops. The bite of this creature first causes necrosis of the skin tissue, then the bite site swells, and after this the internal organs may even bleed. The result is one - death. It is true that there is an antidote for the bite of this snake, but it is not a fact that it can help the victim.
The island itself is really very beautiful. There is pristine nature, excellent landscapes that evoke admiration, a beautiful golden sandy beach, but all this is beyond human access. The reason for this was the inhabitants of this island - snakes, of which there are thousands and tens of thousands. As the researchers reported, there are 3 representatives of these unpleasant animals per square meter. Agree, a lot. Every step on the island could be your last. That is why it is impossible to meet anyone here. Snakes feed on birds, which, after a long flight, unsuspectingly land on land. These seconds become fatal for birds.
Like any interesting place on earth, it is not complete without its legends. They sound quite plausible, so it is quite possible that this is not fiction at all. According to the first legend, a lost sailor once sailed to the island, who wanted to pamper his stomach with the fruits that grow on the island. However, before he could reach the shore, snakes crawled into his boat and left him no chance of survival.
According to the second legend, there was a lighthouse on the island, and the keeper’s family lived in it. One night, snakes entered the room and began to attack all family members. They tried to get out of the lighthouse and run away, but they could not hide from the snakes on the island. When the lighthouse stopped sending signals, sailors sailed here and began to inspect the island. The bodies of all members were found near the tower. The lighthouse itself is now infested with these deadly creatures.
Despite the ban on visiting the island, particularly curious people try to sneak here secretly. Also, for a good amount of money, local residents who know the island well are ready to give you a tour of it. But before you go to Queimada Grande, you should protect yourself with special equipment and clothing.
Today, this island is considered the most dangerous in Brazil, and one of the most dangerous in the world. Research is regularly conducted here and documentaries are filmed.
There is a place on earth that is similar in nature and terrible in nature. It's called.
The island of Queimada Grande (in the original Ilha da Queimada Grande) in Brazil could become an excellent resort, if not for one big BUT. It is inhabited by thousands of poisonous snakes. That is why it is often called Snake Island.
Where is
Snake Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean 35 kilometers off the coast of Brazil in the municipality of Peruibe in the state of Sao Paulo. The island lies between the towns of Itanhay and Peruibe.
Geographic coordinates -24.487060, -46.674671
Some statistics
The island has an elongated shape from north to south. Its length is up to 1.67 km and its width is up to 600 meters. The total area does not exceed 0.43 km2. Maximum height above sea level - 206 meters.
Slightly more than half of the island is covered with forests. The remaining areas are barren areas mainly in the southeastern part of the island. The coast is rocky and quite steep.
The climate of the island is subtropical, quite comfortable and even hot. The average air temperature ranges from 18 o C in August to 27 o C in March. There is little precipitation, from 2 millimeters per month in July to 135.2 millimeters in December.
The island was discovered in 1532 by the expedition of Martim Afonso de Sousa.
The most dangerous island in the world
It would seem that such conditions are simply bound to make the island of Queimada Grande the second. The mild climate, tropical forests and boundless ocean are all very popular among tourists. But, no, this island has not become a cozy resort, because snakes do not allow people here.
The greatest danger is represented by the island bothrops (Bothrops insularis). This is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. There are thousands of them here. Counting snakes on the island is almost impossible. Firstly, it is very dangerous, and secondly, snakes are almost constantly moving in search of food.
Interesting fact— Island bothrops rarely exceeds 1 meter in length. In conditions tropical forests, it can be subtle and therefore even more dangerous.
How many snakes are there on the island?
Some estimates suggested that there were about 430,000 snakes living on the island. This is at least one snake for every square meter of surface. But the latest estimates say that there are no more than 4-5 thousand snakes on the island. Basically, they all live in the forest, with virtually no access to the coast.
Such photographs are often associated with the island of Queimada Grande, but snakes rarely gather in such groups there 
Interesting fact - Despite the densely populated snake island, this species as a whole is on the verge of extinction. Therefore, it is protected by the state.
It is possible that the snake population has declined significantly due to food shortages. Snakes on the island have no natural enemies. Therefore, at first they multiplied very much and simply ate all the small animals in the area. Then food became scarce. As a result of this, the island bothrops began to produce poison 5 times stronger than its mainland counterpart. A mouse dies from a bite from bothrops in just 2 seconds. The bitten person experiences severe pain. If help is not provided in time, he may die.
Nowadays the main diet of snakes consists of migratory birds, who periodically fly to the island. 41 bird species have been recorded here.
It is worth noting that poachers have also had a hand in reducing the number of snakes. Island bothrops is highly prized in Brazil. Therefore, some people literally risk their lives to hunt the snakes of the island of Queimada Grande.
In addition to venomous snakes, the island also has a small population of non-venomous snakes of the Dipsas albifrons family.
Why are there so many snakes here?
According to scientists, snakes appeared on the island a long time ago, at least 9-11 thousand years ago. Then it was connected to the mainland by an isthmus.
People did not like the dangerous proximity to poisonous snakes. They tried in every possible way to dislodge the snakes from their territory - they burned forests and drained swamps. The snakes were forced to gradually retreat along the isthmus to the island.
Later, during geological processes, the land connection with the mainland was severed. The isthmus flooded with water, and the snakes were trapped on the island.
Interesting fact - There is a legend according to which snakes appeared on the island thanks to pirates. The robbers buried countless treasures here. To protect them, the island was populated with poisonous snakes, which over time filled it all.
Horror stories of the island of Queimada Grande
A lighthouse was built on the island in 1909. It has operated automatically since 1925, but previously a caretaker and his family lived here.
They say that snakes snuck into the caretaker's house at night. In horror, the whole family ran outside, but no one managed to escape. Hundreds of snakes attacked people in the forest.
When the lighthouse stopped working, the military arrived here and found the bodies of all members of the lighthouse keeper's family, completely bitten by snakes. The lighthouse itself was filled with thousands of snakes.
There is a story about a dead fisherman found in his own boat. It is said that he was fishing that day near the island of Queimada Grande. Most likely, he landed on the island, but was immediately attacked by snakes. The fisherman made it to the boat, but not to the house. He died in agony in the middle of the ocean.
In fact, all this is NOT TRUE. There is no real evidence in either the first or second case.
Man against the snakes of Queimada Grande island
People wanted to clear the island of snakes for banana plantations. It was planned to burn down the forests and thereby clear the area and get rid of the snakes.
It must be said that at first we managed to burn out a small area of the forest. The name of the island "Queimada" means "scorched" in Portuguese.
But the snakes came to the defense of their last refuge. They attacked workers en masse. And not only from the ground, but also from the trees. You remember that bothrops' diet includes birds. This is why snakes are excellent at climbing trees.
The man didn't back down. Workers began to be dressed in special durable rubber suits. Yes, the snakes couldn’t bite them. Here the tropical climate of the island came to the aid of the snakes. People simply suffocated in such clothes, their hearts worked at the limit, heat exchange was completely disrupted. There have even been several deaths caused by cardiac arrest. And the people retreated.
Fortunately for snakes, they are still winning in confrontations with humans.
This appears to be the only example of animals displacing humans from their habitat. Pay attention to the village. This is a real Snake Village. But unlike Queimada Grande, in Le Mat snakes are raised like chickens.
Queimada Grande Island in tourism
Since 1985, Snake Island has been completely closed to the public.
The only people allowed to land on the island are scientists, researchers, and sometimes film crews from leading science channels.
Despite the formal inaccessibility of the island, curious tourists still try to visit here. Usually excursion boats simply sail close to the coast. Although for decent money they can organize a small tour of the island, but only along the shore and only in overalls.