Is Snake Island in Brazil a real place?

Snake Island in Brazil is a real location officially called Ilha da Queimada Grande (Big Burn Island). It is recognised as one of the most restricted islands in the world because of its unusually dense population of snakes, particularly the golden lancehead viper. The Brazilian government strictly controls access to the island for both safety and conservation purposes.

Where is Snake Island in Brazil

Snake Island is located about 33 kilometres off the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of around 43 hectares, which is roughly the size of 60 football fields. The island is uninhabited by people, and the only human-made structures are a lighthouse and temporary research facilities that are used during authorised scientific expeditions.

The Brazilian Navy maintains the lighthouse and conducts periodic patrols to prevent illegal landings. The island’s proximity to major shipping routes in the Atlantic has made navigation aids essential, but at the same time its ecological risks have prevented any permanent human settlement.

Map of Snake Island, Brazil

History of Snake Island

The official name, Ilha da Queimada Grande, comes from the Portuguese word queimada, meaning “burnt.” Early in the twentieth century, settlers attempted to clear vegetation by setting large fires with the goal of turning the land into farmland. The plan failed due to the high density of snakes, which made agriculture impossible and dangerous.

In 1909, a lighthouse was built on the island to reduce shipwrecks in the area. Initially, lighthouse keepers and their families lived there under challenging conditions, but the structure was later automated to avoid exposing people to the dangers of the snake population. Since then, the Brazilian Navy has managed and guarded the site, preventing unauthorised visitors.

Golden Lancehead Snakes on the Island

Snake Island is famous for the golden lancehead viper (Bothrops insularis), a species that exists nowhere else in the world. Population estimates vary, but studies suggest there may be between 2,000 and 4,000 snakes on the island, depending on the season and food availability.

Appearance of the Golden Lancehead Snake

The golden lancehead is a medium-sized pit viper. Adults usually reach between 70 and 90 centimetres in length, with some individuals exceeding one metre. The body is relatively slender compared to many other vipers. The head is broad and triangular with flat scales above the eyes, lacking the horn-like ridges that are sometimes mistakenly shown in mislabelled photographs of other species.

Many online images wrongly show yellow snakes with horns or eyelashes above the eyes, suggesting they are golden lanceheads. The golden lancehead does not have these features. The confusion usually comes from:

• Eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii): Found in Central and northern South America, known for its raised scales above the eyes that look like eyelashes.

• Horned viper (Cerastes cerastes): A desert species from North Africa with prominent horn-like scales above the eyes.

• Other Bothrops species (such as Bothrops asper and Bothrops jararaca): These are darker with more defined zig-zag patterns and sometimes get misidentified as the golden lancehead.

Correctly identified golden lanceheads are plain yellow to light brown with flat scales and no horns.

Behaviour of the Golden Lancehead Snake

The snake’s colour ranges from pale yellow to golden brown, with faint darker blotches or bands along the body. These markings are more distinct in juveniles and often fade as the snake matures, leaving older adults with a more uniform golden appearance. The keeled scales give the skin a rough texture, and the eyes are large with vertical pupils, well suited for low-light hunting.

Golden lanceheads are ambush predators. They rely on camouflage to remain undetected, lying motionless and striking quickly when prey comes within range. Their main food source is migratory birds that pause on the island during seasonal movements. The snakes climb low shrubs and trees, using their semi-prehensile tails for support, and strike at birds when they land. Younger snakes may also feed on small lizards or invertebrates until they are large enough to hunt birds.

Golden lanceheads are generally solitary and avoid contact with each other except during the breeding season. They are active both during the day and at night, depending on prey activity.

Breeding Cycle and Lifespan

Golden lanceheads reach sexual maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age. Mating typically occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring and summer months, when conditions favour greater prey availability. Like other lanceheads, they are ovoviviparous, meaning females give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.

A typical litter contains 2 to 10 offspring, although numbers can vary depending on the size and health of the female. The newborns are fully independent at birth and already capable of delivering venomous bites.

The species has a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years in the wild. This is influenced by factors such as food supply, competition, and the challenges of living in a restricted habitat. Because the snakes have no natural predators on the island, survival rates after maturity are relatively high compared to mainland lanceheads.

What Happens if You Get Bitten by a Golden Lancehead

The venom of the golden lancehead is extremely potent. It has evolved to act quickly on birds, preventing them from flying away after being struck. For humans, a bite can cause severe medical emergencies. Effects may include rapid swelling, intense pain, bleeding, tissue necrosis, kidney failure, and if not treated immediately, death.

How Quickly Can You Die?

There is no single timeframe because outcomes depend on the location of the bite, the amount of venom injected, and how quickly treatment is given. In serious cases, life-threatening complications such as haemorrhage, organ failure, or shock can develop within a few hours. Without antivenom and hospital care, the risk of death is very high.

Does the Venom Make Flesh “Melt”?

A common myth is that the venom “melts” human flesh. In reality, the venom contains toxins that destroy tissue and blood vessels, causing necrosis. This can result in deep ulcers, gangrene, or the need for amputation if untreated.

Can You Go to Snake Island

Tourists cannot legally visit Snake Island. Entry is restricted by law and enforced by the Brazilian government. The only people allowed on the island are scientists who obtain special research permits and members of the Brazilian Navy who carry out maintenance work on the lighthouse and patrol the area.

Local fishers may operate in the waters around the island, but going ashore without authorisation is prohibited. Occasional reports circulate of people landing illegally, but these cases are rare due to both legal enforcement and the obvious dangers.

For visitors curious about Snake Island, the safest option is to view it from the water at a distance or to learn about it through scientific publications, documentaries and museum exhibits. There are no official tourism programs or approved tours.

Why Snake Island is Restricted

The Brazilian government has classified Snake Island as a restricted zone. The decision is based on two main reasons: public safety and conservation. The high density of venomous snakes presents a serious risk to untrained visitors, and removing or disturbing the snakes would threaten an endangered species.

Tourism is not permitted, and unauthorised landings are illegal. By limiting access, the government ensures that the island’s unique ecosystem remains intact while also preventing accidents that would occur if people attempted to explore without proper training or equipment.

Scientific Importance of Snake Island

The golden lancehead viper’s venom is a focus of medical research because of its potential use in developing new treatments. Studies suggest that compounds in the venom may be useful in creating medicines to address heart disease, circulation problems and other health conditions.

From a conservation perspective, Snake Island is a unique environment. The golden lancehead is critically endangered due to its limited habitat, making protection of the island vital for the species’ survival. Researchers studying the island contribute to both medical science and biodiversity preservation. Strict regulation ensures that research is conducted responsibly, without endangering the fragile ecosystem.

For most people, Snake Island will remain a place to learn about from a distance rather than a destination to visit in person.

More resources for planning your trip to Brazil

• Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. Or, rent a car and give yourself the freedom to explore at your own pace.

• Find your perfect accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels

• You're not ready to travel until you have travel insurance. I recommend Safety Wing to my friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. Get a free quote

• Forgetting something? Read my packing check-list for Brazil, and my list of 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil