Imagine an island so lethal that access to it is strictly prohibited. In the vast blue of the ocean, near the coast of São Paulo, lies a deadly enigma: Queimada Grande Island. Also known as Snake Island, this piece of land harbors secrets that are as dangerous as they are fascinating. Among these secrets is a unique species of snake that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Would you dare to discover more about this forbidden place and the creatures that inhabit it? Get ready to unravel the mysteries of one of the most inaccessible and deadly corners of the planet.

The Dangers Surrounding Queimada Grande Island

Queimada Grande Island, also known as Snake Island, is located 33 kilometers off the coast of Brazil. Near Peruibe and Itanhaem, and 150 kilometers from São Paulo. With a length of 1,500 meters and a width of 500 meters, its 43 hectares make it comparable in size to the small island of Tabarca in Alicante. Despite its impressive biodiversity and natural beauty, access to the island is severely restricted. Its name comes from a dark historical episode when some occasional visitors tried to burn it to drive away the dangerous venomous snakes that inhabit it.

The island’s isolation is justified by the presence of Bothrops Insularis, a venomous snake endemic to the island. These reptiles, with a population of about 2,000 individuals, have developed an extremely potent venom, adapted to hunt birds, which are their main food source.

Access to the island is only allowed for scientific research and conservation purposes, always accompanied by specialized medical personnel. This measure protects both people and the island’s fragile ecology, where a single step can be fatal.

The Legend of Five Snakes per Square Meter

Snake Island has been the scene of numerous local legends that enhance its aura of danger and mystery. One of the most widespread is the belief that on this tiny maritime land, five snakes gather per square meter. This exaggerated but unsettling claim has contributed to reinforcing the perception of the island as a prohibitive and deadly enclave for any intruder.

The reality is that the estimated population density of the Bothrops Insularis snake is one per square meter on the island. This reflects a high rate of inbreeding and places the species in a critically endangered category.

The value of each snake is estimated between 10,000 and 30,000 euros. This is due to the unique properties of its venom, which is used in the development of medicines. One of the notable findings has been the use of its venom in the manufacture of captopril, a drug used for treating hypertension. It is also used to treat coronary diseases, so the protection of these snakes is crucial. Not only because of their ecological and scientific value but also to avoid losing a vital link in the planet’s biodiversity.

Special Permits for Venom Extraction

Due to the scientific and medical importance of Bothrops Insularis venom, special permits have been granted to scientists to access Snake Island and extract the venom in a controlled and safe manner. Visits are limited to military personnel and accredited scientists for their specialized research, who must be accompanied at all times by a physician. The need for such measures becomes clearer when considering the island’s maritime history, marked by tragic incidents such as the shipwrecks of Rio Negro in 1893 and Tocantins in 1933.

These events, though they occurred decades ago, remain a visible testament to the area’s risks. The remains of the ships, still identifiable between 15 and 40 meters deep in the ocean, rest there. For these reasons, the Brazilian Navy plays a crucial role on the island. Not only in maintaining the lighthouse, a remnant from the pre-automation era that began in 1918, but also in preserving safety in this publically prohibited area. These policies and historical events deeply illustrate the isolated and dangerous nature of Queimada Grande, making it a mystery to most and a critical area of interest for the daring.

The Presence of Poachers on Snake Island

In this context, Snake Island has attracted the interest of poachers looking to profit from the illegal sale of these snakes. However, capturing these reptiles is a risky and prohibited act. Additionally, it poses an ethical dilemma regarding wildlife conservation. Illegal exploitation of endangered species jeopardizes biodiversity and the ecological balance of the island’s ecosystem.

Environmental and Legal Risks of Capturing Snakes for the Black Market

Poachers venture to Snake Island in search of valuable species that can command high prices on the black market, but this entails significant risks at all levels:

• Capturing Bothrops Insularis poses extreme danger due to the lethality of its venom and the hostile conditions of the island.
• Illegally captured snakes are often destined for illegal sale, where their value can reach significant figures in the clandestine wildlife market.
• Illegal hunting of snakes can have negative repercussions on the population of these animals, affecting the natural balance of the island’s territory.
• Brazilian legislation prohibits the capture and commercialization of protected species, making poachers lawbreakers subject to severe legal penalties.

In conclusion, Queimada Grande Island is not just a bastion of mystery and danger. It is also a powerful symbol of the intersection between nature’s untamed aspects and the efforts of science to preserve it. A forbidden and deadly enclave, in a remote corner of the world full of legends.