Snake Island was isolated from the Brazilian mainland at the end of the last ice age
Snake Island is a small, forested island off the coast of Brazil that writhes with thousands of venomous vipers
The snakes, which grow up to 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) long, are golden lancehead pit vipers (Bothrops insularis)
They are so venomous; the Brazilian navy has closed the island to the public since the 1920s
The island sits about 21 miles (34 kilometers) off the coast of southeastern Brazil and covers an area of 106 acres (43 hectares), which is equivalent to about 80 American football fields
Snake Island is devoid of mammals, so golden lanceheads have no natural predators; their venom is intended for hunting prey, rather than for defense
Research suggests their venom is the fastest acting of any lancehead snake (Bothrops) and five times as potent as that of a closely related species (Bothrops jararaca) that lives on the mainland, likely because catching birds requires a swift kill
Golden lancehead venom is fast-acting in humans, too. Bites cause symptoms ranging from local pain and swelling to nausea, intestinal bleeding, kidney failure and tissue death
Snake Island has been protected as an area of ecological interest since 1985; only the Brazilian navy and research teams with special waivers are permitted to access the island