Snakes in Brazil
Brazil has several venomous snake species, the deadliest among the lot being the golden lancehead endemic to Brazil’s famous Snake Island, also known as the Ilha da Queimada Grande. The island is also home to other deadly snake species, estimated at around 4 30,000. However, recent studies suggest the numbers to be a little lower than before.
The Amazon rainforest, 60% of which lies within Brazil, also has its share of snakes. The species dwelling here includes the boa constrictor, rainbow boa, green anaconda, and yellow anaconda. The green anaconda, mainly inhabiting the Amazon basin, is Brazil’s and the world’s largest snake that can measure as much as 29 feet, weighing over 550 pounds. The penis snake, not a snake but an amphibian species rarely found, has been dwelling in Brazil since 2012. People saw it when a portion of the Madeira river was being drained for a hydroelectric project.
| Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Snakes | Southern Coral Snake Painted Coral Snake Argentine Coral Snake | |
| Rattlesnakes | Tropical Rattlesnake Northeastern Brazilian Rattlesnake | |
Bothrops | Fer-de-lance Jararaca Pintada Yarara Grande Two-striped Forest Pit Viper Golden Lancehead | – |
| Lachesis | South American Bush Master | – |
| Boa | – | Boa Constrictor |
Epicrates | – | Rainbow Boa |
| Philodryas | – | Cobra-cipó-verde Patagonia Green Racer |
| Spilotes | – | Caninana |
| Apostolepis | – | Paraguayan Blackhead |
| Eunectes | – | Yellow Anaconda Green Anaconda |
| Anilios | – | Pale-headed Blind Snake |
| Liotyphlops | – | Ternetz’s Blind Snake |
| Tetracheilostoma | – | Barbados Threadsnake |
| Corallus | – | Emerald Tree Boa |
| Ahaetulla | – | Green Vine Snake |
| Hydrodynastes | – | False Water Cobra |
Quick Information
Biggest Snake: Green Anaconda
Deadliest Snake: Golden Lancehead
FAQs
People lived on the island during the 1920s. According to tales by the locals, the last keeper of the lighthouse and his family were killed by snakes. They supposedly sneaked into his home through the windows. However, the Brazilian navy has prohibited public entry to the island, barring the research teams, who are the only ones allowed here.
An anaconda, 10 feet long and 1 foot wide, was sighted at a construction site in north Brazil a few years back, sending workers into a state of agony.
