The Island Of Snakes: One Of The Most Dangerous Places In The World
Near the coast of Brazil, about 33 kilometers away from Sao Paulo in Brazil, there is a truly unusual island. This is the island of Queimada Grande, also known as the “island of snakes”.
The island, which has an area of over 40 hectares, is not inhabited by humans, and for a very good reason. Researchers estimate that one snake lives on the island of Queimada Grande for every square meter of land.
The deadly tenant of the Snake Island
Among the snakes present in Queimada Grande, there is an endemic species, that of the Bothrops insularis . This rattlesnake, which lives exclusively on this island, has a golden color and is known by the name of “golden spearhead”.
Bothrops insularis are believed to be one of the most venomous snake species in the world. Its venom can be up to five times more powerful than that of any other snake. In Brazil, according to records of deaths due to a snake bite, 90% of deaths are due to the venom of reptiles of this family, similar to Bothrops insularis .
It is a fast-acting poison. The bite of this type of snake can cause death in less than an hour, in an adult individual. Its venom, in fact, has components that induce necrosis of the skin in the area surrounding the bite and cause renal failure, cerebral haemorrhage and intestinal haemorrhage.
A 2014 study determined that, in particular, the population of this species is between 2,000 and 4,000 specimens. The latter are concentrated in the part of the island with semi-arboreal tropical forests.
Where did these snakes come from?
More than 11,000 years ago, the territory of this islet communicated with the mainland. In that period, the sea level underwent a rise, giving rise to the island. Resident snakes were trapped on this territory.
Suddenly, their food sources became scarce, forcing the snakes to become dependent on birds. As a function of their flying prey, the golden lance-iron snakes evolved, developing powerful, fast-acting toxins, useful for killing their prey.
Local birds, on alert due to the existing danger, avoid visiting the island. Snakes hunt and eat the largest migratory birds, which, unprepared, reach the island in search of rest. The lack of a predator in this habitat would have contributed to the increase in the snake population.
Forbidden to enter the island of snakes
There is no human resident on the island, with the exception of the occasional visit of some groups of scientists. The golden spear shoes are so dangerous that the government of Brazil has expressly forbidden anyone to set foot on the island. This standard is intended to protect the integrity of both people and snakes.
Savior snakes
Ironically, the dreaded golden spear shoes also play a crucial role in saving lives. Their poison, in fact, is first extracted to obtain an antidote, but it is also used in the development of life-saving drugs and, in the future, could contribute to the preparation of new medicines.
As scientists from the Brazilian Butantan Institute report, it may contain components useful for the treatment of human diseases of various kinds. Until now, experts from this institute have pointed to components with the potential to help treat blood clots, circulation problems and heart disease.
There is a blood pressure drug (Captopril) that was developed 40 years ago from the venom of golden lance-iron snakes. This medicine is enormously widespread and still widely used today.
How can we see the golden spearhead snake
Since it is not possible to see this fearsome species in its natural habitat, we can however observe it in mainland Brazil, in captivity.
To do this, visitors have three possibilities: these snakes can be seen legally in the Serpentarium of the Instituto Butantã in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Alternatively, you can head to the Sao Paulo Zoo: in the house of the snakes there is an enclosure that contains five adult specimens of gilded spear iron.
Finally, the last possibility is to go to the Quinzinho de Barros municipal zoo in the city of Sorocaba, in the state of São Paulo. Here you can see these very special snakes quietly living in the reptile house.
Although the island of snakes is a long way from the idyllic ideal represented by the Caribbean island, we must remember that it is not a paradise for snakes either.
Since the island was formed, the resident reptiles have fought for food, and their strategy of developing a powerful venom is their adaptation effort. The struggle of the golden spearhead was long and even today this species is in serious danger.
