• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Snake Island where no human is allowed to visit is home to species much more lethal than average snake

Home> News> Animals

Published 14:58 18 Dec 2024 GMT

Snake Island where no human is allowed to visit is home to species much more lethal than average snake

Off the coast of Brazil is Ilha de Queimada Grande, better known as 'Snake Island'

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

Given how dark and miserable it is outside, the idea of visiting a scenic island off the coast of Brazil seems pretty good right now.

But if you plan on nipping away for some sunshine in the New Year, I'd probably avoid Ilha de Queimada Grande, better known as 'Snake Island'.

It's considered to be one of the most dangerous acreages on the planet and humans aren't actually allowed to visit without proper clearance.

Just 106-acres in size, Queimada Grande is home to an estimated 4,000 snakes, including the deadliest species around.

Advert

And despite what you might think if you go into the island's Street View on Google Maps, you won't see a massive snake in the middle of the road.

However, this particular type of snake is a venomous pit viper - and is exclusive to Snake Island.

No one actually lives on Snake Island (60 Minutes)
No one actually lives on Snake Island (60 Minutes)

The golden lancehead's (also known as the Bothrops insularis) venom alone is truly deadly and it helps them feed primarily on birds, lizards and other small animals.

A fully grown snake typically ranges from 70 to 118 cm (28 to 46 inches) in length, with their pale yellow bodies often being marked with brown, leaf-shaped patterns, according to JungleDragon.com.

Advert

However, the species is listed as critically endangered.

Tara Brown of 60 Minutes Australia, who visited the island in 2019, said: "The golden lanceheads do not exist anywhere else but on Queimada Grande.

"Their isolation has given them some evolutionary quirks. They're five times more poisonous than their mainland cousins and they hunt and eat birds.

"They may be some of the most venomous creatures on the planet but the real threat is to them, not us.

"As idyllic as Snake Island might seem for snakes, its isolation is no guarantee protection for its unique inhabitants.

Advert

You don't want to cross one of these (Getty Stock Images)
You don't want to cross one of these (Getty Stock Images)

"Land clearing on the mainland is reducing the number of birds that used to stop here on their migration path. Fewer birds means less food and less food ultimately means less snakes."

But if you were to encounter a snake in the woods, an expert has said they are realistically unlikely to harm you - but only under one condition.

Whit Gibbons, a renowned herpetologist who has been studying snakes for over 60 years, told UGA Today: "When you walk through the woods, many more snakes see you than how many times you see them.

"They don’t want to be seen. We have done various studies that showed you can walk past a coiled-up rattlesnake, and it won’t move at all.

Advert

"It’s like picking a fight they don’t want to pick. Snakes care nothing about us unless we become a threat."

That's great Whit, but I will not be taking any chances.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/60 Minutes/Australia 9 News

Topics: Animals, Travel

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Why no human is allowed to visit Snake Island home to 4,000 of world’s deadliest snakes
  • MrBeast stayed overnight on 'deadliest island in the world' where 'no human is allowed to visit'
  • One of ‘deadliest places on Earth’ is home to 4,000 of world’s lethal snakes and no human can visit
  • Inside remote island where ancient human species could still be alive and roaming

Choose your content:

25 mins ago
2 hours ago
18 hours ago
  • David Tramontan/Getty Images
    25 mins ago

    Everything we know as nine people left fighting for their lives after horrifying knife attack onboard London-bound train

    Two suspects have been arrested after nine people were left with life-threatening injuries in the attack on Saturday night

    News
  • David Tramontan/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Nine people left fighting for their lives after horrifying knife attack onboard London-bound train

    Police have confirmed that 10 people sustained injuries in the horrific attack on Saturday night

    News
  • Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images
    18 hours ago

    Investigator gives update on items discovered in D4vd’s house after 15-year-old's body found in his Tesla

    Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found in the boot of a vehicle belonging to the singer in September

    News
  • John Keeble/Getty Images
    18 hours ago

    Brian Cox hits out at 'alien spaceship' theories as he shares 'reliable' sources

    The science pro is not on board with the 'drivel'

    News