Snake Island, Brazil
Off the coast of Brazil lies an island that is home to one of the deadliest and most forbidden creatures on Earth – the golden lancehead viper. Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as Snake Island, is a small landmass covered in dense jungle and inhabited by thousands of venomous snakes, with an estimated one snake per square meter.
The golden lancehead, a species found only on this island, is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, capable of killing a human within hours. Due to the danger posed by the snakes, the Brazilian government has banned visitors from setting foot on the island, with the exception of a few select scientists and researchers. The island’s history is also shrouded in mystery, with legends of pirates, treasure, and secret military bases adding to its allure. For those brave enough to venture to Snake Island, the risk of death by snakebite is a constant reminder of the fragility of human life, and the power of nature to defend itself.