Snake Island — Attraction in São Paulo

Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as Snake Island, is an island off the coast of Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean. It is administered as part of the municipality of Itanhaém in the State of São Paulo. The island is small in size and has many different types of terrain, ranging from bare rock to rainforest, and a temperate climate. It is the only home of the critically endangered, venomous Bothrops insularis (golden lancehead pit viper), which has a diet of birds. The snakes became trapped on the island when rising sea levels covered up the land that connected it to the mainland. The ensuing selection pressure allowed the snakes to adapt to their new environment, increasing rapidly in population and rendering the island dangerous to public visitation. Queimada Grande is closed to the public in order to protect both people and the snake population; access is only available to the Brazilian Navy and selected researchers vetted by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, the Brazilian federal conservation unit. Geography Located approximately 33 kilometres (21 mi) off the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, the island is approximately 430,000 square metres (110 acres) in area. The island ranges in elevation from sea level to 206 metres (676 ft) above sea level. The island has a temperate climate that is similar to its neighbouring island Nimer. 0.25 square kilometres (62 acres) of the island is covered by rain forest; the remaining areas consist of barren rocks and open grassland. Queimada Grande ranges from an average of 18.38 °C (65.08 °F) in August to 27.28 °C (81.10 °F) in March, and rainfall ranges from 0.2 millimetres (0.0079 in) per month in July to 135.2 millimetres (5.32 in) in December. History Ilha da Queimada Grande has a variety of vegetation. The island is partly covered in rainforest and partly bare rock and grassy cleared areas, a result of deforestation. The deforestation is the origin of the island's name: the term "Queimada", in Portuguese, means “to burn” because when locals attempted to clear land for a banana plantation on the island, they had to clear rainforest using this technique. A lighthouse was constructed in 1909 to steer ships away from the island. The last human inhabitants left the island when the lighthouse was converted to being automated.5[7]

The island and the Ilha Queimada Pequena to the west are protected by the 33 hectares (82 acres) Ilhas Queimada Pequena e Queimada Grande Area of Relevant Ecological Interest, created in 1985.[8] The Brazilian Navy has closed the island to the public[9] and the only people who are allowed on the island are research teams who receive waivers to...

After watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail, my friend Ana persuaded my buddies and I to follow through with our aspiration to go on an adventure, so we took a boat to Snake Island. For fun, we gave ourselves knightly nicknames -- I went with "Sir Pent". Since we were used to the Imperial Measurement System, the first thing we noticed when we arrived was that the locals didn't use feet, but it wasn't a big deal since one of my friends was the king of his math club, great at conversions -- a real adder and subtractor. The local cuisine mostly consists of bananas, but since they weren't in season the ones we ate gave us cottonmouth. Ana brought some extra food, but to our disappointment all she brought was canned corn. Not having much else to do, we played some music, which ended up attracting some locals who taught us their favorite dance, the mamba, and afterwards they treated us to a showing of their favorite movie, Venom. By the end of the movie it was getting late, so we decided to leave the island and head back home.

Looking back, we all decided that spending time here really bites. Ana was smiling the entire time, though, as if it were all a practical joke. Since it was her idea to begin with, I guess you could say...

The island's all-inclusive snake population ensures that you won't be lonely during your stay. They'll be your ever-present companions, popping up around every corner to give you a warm (and hissy) welcome. Who needs a travel buddy when you have hundreds of reptile friends?

If you're a fan of adrenaline-pumping experiences, then Snake Island is your ultimate destination! Forget roller coasters; here, it's all about the thrill of spotting a snake right next to you. Your heart will race faster than the fastest snake on the island! 🎢💨

And let's not forget the "snake selfies" – no filters needed! Just strike a pose, and you'll have a reptilian sidekick to join you in every photo. Perfect for your next social media post – #SnakeSelfieGoals, anyone? 🐍🤳

So, if you're up for an experience that's equal parts exhilarating and wild, pack your snake boots and get ready for the trip of a lifetime to Snake Island. A paradise for the brave-hearted and the snake enthusiasts – just don't forget the...