The island known for being heavily infested with snakes is Ilha da Queimada Grande, commonly referred to as Snake Island.
Ilha da Queimada Grande: A Serpent's Domain
Located off the coast of Brazil, Ilha da Queimada Grande has earned its ominous moniker, Snake Island, due to its exceptionally high concentration of venomous snakes. This uninhabited island is considered one of the most dangerous places on Earth, with some estimates suggesting that there could be one to five snakes per square meter in some areas. The island serves as a unique natural laboratory, housing a dense population of these reptiles, most notably the Bothrops insularis, a highly venomous viper found nowhere else in the world.
Geographical Context
Ilha da Queimada Grande is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Brazil. It is part of the State of São Paulo and falls under the administration of the municipality of Itanhaém. Its isolated nature has contributed significantly to the unique evolutionary path of its resident snake species.
For a quick overview of its location, see the table below:
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country | Brazil |
| State | State of São Paulo |
| Municipality | Itanhaém |
| Nickname | Snake Island |
Administration and Conservation
Access to Ilha da Queimada Grande is strictly controlled due to the extreme danger posed by its snake population and for conservation purposes. The island is administered by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), a Brazilian federal agency responsible for managing national parks and other conservation units. ICMBio tightly regulates visits to the island, primarily allowing only scientific researchers and the Brazilian Navy to land, ensuring the protection of both the unique ecosystem and human visitors.
The Serpent Population
The designation "infested" is indeed appropriate for Ilha da Queimada Grande, as the island hosts one of the densest snake populations globally. This high density is a primary reason why the island is largely uninhabited by humans and remains a subject of fascination for herpetologists and the general public alike. The isolation and specific environmental conditions of the island have allowed these snake populations to thrive, evolving specialized characteristics adapted to their unique island habitat.
