Ilha da Queimada Grande, Protected island in São Paulo state, Brazil.
Ilha da Queimada Grande is a protected island in São Paulo state that rises 206 meters (676 feet) above the Atlantic and covers roughly 43 hectares (106 acres). The terrain consists of dense rainforest sections in the interior and open rocky areas along the coastline.
The landmass separated from mainland Brazil roughly 11,000 years ago when sea levels rose after the last ice age. This isolation led to the development of a snake population that evolved independently from mainland species.
Brazilian researchers from Instituto Butantan visit the territory regularly to study the endemic golden lancehead pit viper, which exists nowhere else on Earth. These expeditions follow strict safety protocols and contribute to understanding this isolated population.
The Brazilian Navy controls access strictly, and visits require special permits from conservation authorities. Even with official clearance, biologists and safety personnel accompany every landing because of the extreme danger from snakes.
The territory holds the highest concentration of venomous snakes worldwide, with estimates of one snake per square meter (11 square feet) in certain zones. This density developed because the animals rely on migratory birds as a food source and multiplied accordingly.
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