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Simply off the coast of southern Brazil lies the island of Queimada Grande, generally known as ‘Snake Island’. Overlaying simply 43 hectares (106 acres), this rocky island is residence to between 2,000 and 4,000 extremely venomous golden lancehead vipers (Bothrops insularis), which might develop to 70cm (simply over 2ft). The snakes have been trapped there round 11,000 years in the past, on the finish of the final ice age, when rising sea ranges reduce them off from the mainland.
No mammals dwell on the island, so the snakes had no predators to maintain their numbers in verify, but additionally very restricted prey. With few floor animals to hunt, the snakes grew to become specialists in catching birds that go to the island throughout their annual migrations.
This food regimen could clarify why their venom is so lethal – whereas most venomous snakes have the posh of biting their prey and monitoring it till it succumbs to the venom, the golden lancehead must kill their prey shortly, earlier than the hen has an opportunity to fly off.
Golden lancehead venom is fast-acting and causes a variety of horrifying signs, from kidney failure to inside bleeding and tissue loss of life. Nevertheless, these lethal properties have prompted some researchers to analyze the venom for medicinal makes use of, similar to treating coronary heart illness and blood clots.
Maybe unsurprisingly, the island is uninhabited (by people), and the Brazilian Navy has forbidden guests, apart from authorised scientific expeditions. That is as a lot to guard the snakes as it’s to guard unsuspecting vacationers – discovered nowhere else on Earth, golden lanceheads are thought-about critically endangered. Extraordinarily decided wildlife smugglers make unlawful visits to seize the snakes, nonetheless, as their potent venom is prized on the black market.
Just a few courageous inhabitants did dwell there within the early 1900s – tasked with working the lighthouse – however legend has it that the household was killed by snakes, and the lighthouse has since been automated.
The golden lanceheads favour forested areas of the island, the place they will hunt their prey. Some estimates counsel that within the forests there could also be as many as one lancehead per sq. meter.
Scientists say that their numbers are reducing, nonetheless, attributable to habitat loss, illness, unlawful poaching and the detrimental results of inbreeding on this remoted inhabitants. A a lot smaller, non-venomous snake generally known as Sauvage’s snail-eater (Dipsas albifrons) additionally lives on the island.
So, in case you ever end up stranded on snake island, your finest guess is to keep away from the forests and keep on the rocky shore, the place you’re unlikely to bump right into a golden lancehead. In the event you enterprise into the forest, be careful for vipers overhead and on the bottom.
Edible vegetation and animals are restricted, however you possibly can eat one of many snakes (in case you can catch it). Simply make sure to take away the pinnacle, the place the venom glands are positioned, earlier than you tuck in.
In the event you undergo a golden lancehead chew, you’ll must get medical consideration in a short time: the venom can kill in below an hour, though solely round seven per cent of individuals die. The island is patrolled by the navy, so a speedy rescue isn’t not possible.
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Requested by: Rosemary Norton, by way of e-mail
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