Most dangerous place in world, home to 4000 deadliest snakes, it is located in…, name is…

It's one of the rare places in the world where people are not allowed to visit, and there’s a very serious reason for that. Instead of being known for natural beauty or rare animals, this island is famous for being extremely dangerous.

There are some places on Earth that are so strange and dangerous that they seem like they have come out of a movie. Unlike most islands that are known for their beautiful beaches or as holiday spots, this island is off-limits to tourists and even most locals. Why? Because it’s home to thousands of deadly snakes. This island is called the ‘Snake Island’, officially known as Ilha da Queimada Grande which is located off the coast of Brazil.

The island is situated about 90 miles from the city of São Paulo in southeast Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean. Though this island is not very big in size (only about 106 acres), what makes it so feared is the large number of venomous snakes living there. Its remote location means the island has barely been touched by people, which makes it a unique place for scientists and researchers. With around 4,000 snakes packed into just 43 hectares (about the size of 60 football fields), the island is as deadly as it is fascinating.

To keep people safe and to protect the environment, the Brazilian government has made it illegal for the public to go there.

How did the snakes end up on Snake Island?

About 11,000 years ago, when the last ice age ended, rising sea levels separated Snake Island from mainland Brazil. The snakes that already lived there got stuck and couldn’t leave. Over thousands of years, with no predators to fear and limited food options, a special type of snake i.e. the golden lancehead became the island’s top predator. Being isolated for so long allowed these snakes to evolve in their own way, developing traits not seen anywhere else in the world.

How dangerous are the snakes on the island?

The golden lancehead is one of the most venomous snakes in Latin America and it is only found on this island. Its venom can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure, and even tissue damage. If someone gets bitten and fail to get treated on time, there are a 7 per cent chance they could die. Unlike most snakes that go after mice or rats, these vipers target birds that land on the island during migration. Their venom is five times stronger than that of their mainland relatives.

What other animals live on Snake Island?

Aside from the roughly 3,000 golden lancehead snakes, there is not much wildlife on the island. A few birds, lizards, and insects live there. Some birds, like the Chilean elaenia, stop on the island during migration and often end up as snake food. Only a handful of bird species, such as the bananaquit and southern house wren, manage to nest there. Because of the tough conditions and constant danger from snakes, the island actually has very low biodiversity compared to other places in Brazil.

Can people visit Snake Island?

No, regular people are not allowed to visit Snake Island. The Brazilian government has banned public access to keep both humans and the environment safe. Only a few scientists, with special permission and under strict rules, are allowed to go there, mostly to study the island’s deadly snakes.

However, there are illegal wildlife traffickers who try to smuggle out golden lancehead vipers to sell on the black market for huge amounts of money. Even though it’s dangerous, Snake Island is an important part of Brazil’s natural ecosystem and remains protected.