Snake Island is untouched. Not the kind of untouched that means it’s a nice location to unwind or sip a few piña coladas in solitude. When applied to Snake Island, the adjective should serve as a warning. The place is uninhabitable. It’s been this way for decades. Unless the thousands of snakes that dangle from the trees and gobble down anything that sets foot on their lands count as residents.
Lush forests and unblemished beaches should make it Brazil’s number #1 travel destination. It’s not just superstition keeping people away. People have learned their lesson when it comes to messing with Snake Island. From the strange to the downright creepy, let’s take a look at the happenings that’ve convinced everyone in possession of any common sense to keep their distance.
10 There Is A Snake Every Three Feet
That’s three feet until the snakes start to make their way towards the precious little toes of visitors. Images of Snake Island may make avoiding the creatures look like a feasible endeavor. Remember that just because you don’t see a snake doesn’t mean it can’t see you.
9 A Lethal Snake Species Exists Only On This Island
India Today explains that thousands of years of isolation caused the already dangerous jacara pit viper to evolve into something far more terrifying. It’s known as the golden lancehead. Since they’re only found in one place, they are protected. Though they do have their own ferocious method of self-defense.
8 Its Bite Melts Human Flesh
The snakes developed a deadly poison to kill migratory birds in an instant as there are no mammals native to the island. Humans don’t fare much better. Once bitten, they have less than an hour left to live, explains Smithsonian Mag. Treatment improves the chances of survival, but it doesn’t ensure it.
7 Humans Are Forbidden From Entering
Unlucky soldiers sent in to do maintenance on the automated lighthouse are the exception. Brave researchers must acquire express permission from the government to take the risk. In both cases, a doctor is required to join them, according to Travel Awaits. Everyone else is prohibited for their own safety.
6 Snakes Came For The Last Residents Through The Windows
At one point the lighthouse was run by actual human beings. Locals say that changed when the last lighthouse keeper and his family were attacked by snakes that had gotten in through the windows. Since then, the snakes' stance on visitors has been received loud and clear.
5 Legend Says The Next Visitor Didn't Even Last The Night
Smithsonian Magazine describes another legendary Snake Island casualty: that of a fisherman. The poor man is said to have ended up on the island by accident while searching for bananas. Instead, he found thousands of snakes. He rushed back to his boat, but not before receiving several fatal bites.
Related: 20 Dangerous Places Even Bear Grylls Wouldn’t Visit
4 Business Is Booming For Modern Pirates
A Vice journalist interviewed what’s known as a biopirate, someone who smuggles rare animals out of their natural habitats to sell them on the black market. Golden lanceheads net these pirates up to $30,000 each. For many criminals, the price is worth risking their lives on Snake Island.
3 Floodwaters Are All That Keep The Mainland Safe
A land bridge once connected Snake Island and the rest of Brazil. Water levels rose and snakes that had already slithered across became trapped, according to Fox News. Over the course of 11,000 years, those snakes morphed into the monstrous golden lancehead species in order to survive.
Related: The Safest South American Destinations (And Dangerous Places To Avoid)
2 The Snakes Were Brought By Pirates To Protect Their Treasure
Migrant snakes sneaking onto an island sounds too far-fetched for some to believe. The other theory is that pirates hid treasure somewhere on the island. To protect their riches, they introduced these aggressive snakes. If they were put there to deter any intruders, they’ve done an excellent job.
Related: Travelers Visited These Countries And Never Came Home
1 They Already Tried Burning It
World Atlas describes previous attempts that residents made to set fire to the island and rid it of its pesky serpents. This would’ve also served to ready the land for agriculture. In the end, residents were forced to throw in the towel and declare the snakes victorious.