Ilha da Queimada Grande (Snake Island)
The sole inhabitants of this 430,000-square-metre (43-hectare) island off the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil are, at the last count, 5,000 Golden Lancehead Viper (Bothrops insularis); at once, one of the most venomous snakes in the world and a species in danger of extinction since it has no other habitat. The Brazilian navy keeps intruders away from this pristine island, especially as the only human ever to inhabit the place, the lighthouse keeper, reportedly fled the island with his family as they were being attacked by the ophidians. Only a handful of researchers get permission to visit the island.
