Are you a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie looking for your next adventure? How about camping out for 30 days in the untamed wilderness of Snake Island, located 40 kilometers off the coast of Brazil? But beware, this island is so dangerous that it’s illegal to visit. However, rules don’t apply to you, right?

Before you pack your bags, let’s get real about what you’re up against. Without resources or help, the average person wouldn’t last long on this tropical death trap. In fact, back in 2019, when a fishing boat sank near the island, two people remained on the ship rather than spend one second on this serpent-infested island.

So, why would anyone risk their lives to visit this island? Most people who come to Ilha de Queimada Grande or Snake Island don’t want to stay for more than a few hours. But if you’re here for a month, experts recommend staying near the shoreline. Going past the tree line deep into the forest could be fatal.

Here’s why. Experts estimate that there’s at least one snake per square meter across the 430,000 square meter island. And not just any snake, but as many as 4,000 golden lancehead vipers. These reptilian killers are waiting for slow-moving targets like you to give them something to sink their fangs into.

Separated from the mainland 11,000 years ago, the snakes on this island evolved venom powerful enough to kill their prey quickly, including migratory birds passing through. This venom is five times more potent than that of the closest mainland snakes and would kill you within an hour if left untreated. It’s even strong enough to melt your skin.

While these island dwellers prefer an avian diet, catching you would provide a lovely feast. The venom in your system could damage your kidneys, destroy your muscle tissue, or cause internal bleeding – all of which could kill you. And these dangerous vipers stand between you and fresh water sources further inland. Instead of risking your life for a drink, you could use leaves to collect rainwater.

As hunger sets in, you could eat bananas found at the edge of the forest near the coastline. And if desperation sets in, you could try eating one of these snakes before they eat you. But let’s clear something up – poisonous is not the same as venomous. Poisons cause harm when swallowed or inhaled, whereas the toxins in snake venom aren’t harmful as long as they’re not in your bloodstream.

So, if you caught a viper and removed its head where the poison glands sit, you could snack on it. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t be the only one looking to catch this viper. Bio-pirates and poachers often come to Snake Island, and not for the beaches. Just one golden lancehead viper could bring in $30,000 on the black market. That might be the most expensive meal you’ve ever eaten.

Since 1981, even drug companies have been using their venom in medications to treat high blood pressure. It’s believed that due to this high demand, the viper population on the island has decreased by 50 percent in just 15 years, placing it on the endangered species list.

But get in the way of these profiteers or venomous snakes, and you would be the real endangered species on this island. So, while holding onto those poison glands might provide you with a refreshing drink for later.

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