Iceland is a cool, windy country that sits high in the Atlantic Ocean or low in the Arctic Ocean, depending on your point of view. It is a breathtakingly beautiful place rife with wonders. Iceland is also quite dangerous, especially for those uneducated in its temperament.
There are no snakes in Iceland unless you count the sand snakes— a natural phenomenon where the sand appears to move like snakes due to high winds. Iceland is known to be dangerous because of its powerful winds, unpredictable waves, and erratic weather.
Taking a trip to Iceland is a thing people all over the world dream about. If you’re hoping to go, ensure you’re well prepared, as the Land of Fire and Ice can be very hazardous to one’s health if you’re not careful.
What Is a Sand Snake?
Unsuspecting tourists have much to look out for in Iceland. Due to the clashes of the Gulf Stream with Arctic air, the weather changes fast.
Fog and wind can sweep across clear skies within minutes, bewildering hikers. The powerful winds of Iceland hold a direct connection with the unusual natural phenomenon of the sand snake.
Sand snakes are not at all terrifying; they are not even alive. Sand snakes are a weather phenomenon caused by high winds rushing over any of Iceland’s numerous black-sand beaches.
Under such a mighty torrent of wind, the sand accumulates in narrow patterns and “streaks” across the beach. The movement of the winds causes these streaks to undulate, making them appear like snakes in the sand, hence the name.
You can see what sand snakes look like in this YouTube video of the phenomenon.
As you can see, the girl in the video is not scared at all. In fact, she seems to be having the time of her life, even skating on the snakes. The phenomenon is strange to witness—a bit magical, a bit meteorological, a bit out of this world.
You might have noticed that the sand stays laminar or layered. The sand stays this way because particles flowing along a flat, solid surface tend to become parallel and flow in narrow patterns.
Where To Find a Sand Snake
Sand snakes—in Iceland or any other volcanic island—are incredibly rare because there aren’t many places around the globe where smooth, flat surfaces are exposed to high winds. Of the ones that do exist, even fewer happen to be covered in sand.
In Iceland, the sand snakes occur on black sand beaches. These beaches are created when lava from an erupting volcano makes its way to the coast, comes in contact with the water, and cools to a solid form. The lava then breaks apart little by little over a long period, eventually becoming tiny granules of “sand.”
Owing to its numerous dormant volcanoes, Iceland is home to several black sand beaches. A few on which sand snakes are known to occur are
- Stokksnes Beach
- Reynisfjara Beach
- Sólheimasandur Beach (there is also a wrecked plane here!)
Be careful if you visit these beaches to view this phenomenon! The wind speeds are extremely high, sending debris into the air, so ensure you protect your eyes from flying sand and other projectiles on the beach.
Why Real Snakes Don’t Live in Iceland
There are no wild or pet snakes—or any reptiles at all—in Iceland. While the primary reason for this is that Iceland is simply too cold for snakes, the country has also banned snakes and other reptiles.
Iceland has laws in place that prohibit the ownership or importation of snakes. The reason is linked to protecting the country’s ecosystem. One cannot bring snakes to Iceland, even if the climate were to change and become more friendly to them.
Here are some other reasons you won’t find any snakes in Iceland.
It’s Too Cold
The coldest temperature a real snake can survive in is 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18°C).
Snakes are cold-blooded animals, meaning their internal temperature depends on the temperature around them.
They are often more sensitive to environmental changes and must be careful to avoid becoming too hot or too cold. For example, many cold-blooded animals will bask in the sun to warm their bodies or seek shelter in cool burrows or other environments to avoid overheating.
In July, the average temperature in Iceland is about 53 degrees Fahrenheit (12°C). In winter-time, the country’s temps drop to an average of 32° Fahrenheit in the south (0°C) and 14° Fahrenheit (-10°C) in the north. These conditions are way too cold for snakes to survive.
It’s Illegal
Snakes, lizards, and turtles are banned in Iceland because reptiles often carry salmonella in their digestive tract. Salmonella is an intestinal bacteria that make humans ill and, in some cases, causes death.
Salmonella infections are typically caused by consuming contaminated food or water. They can also be transmitted through contact with infected animals or their feces. Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, and usually develop within 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria.
The Overall Habitat Just Isn’t Suitable
Snakes do not live in Iceland due to the lack of suitable habitats. Iceland is a volcanic island with rugged terrain and limited vegetation, which makes it difficult for snakes to be happy here.
Nor does it help that Iceland is located in the North Atlantic, which isolates it from other land masses. This isolation means snakes cannot migrate from other, more snake-friendly places.
No fossil records of snakes exist in Iceland, doubtless because the environment is not conducive to the survival of these reptiles.
Iceland has a limited number of species that have adapted to the country’s harsh environmental conditions. Introducing non-native species like snakes would disrupt the ecosystem’s delicate balance. Therefore, snakes could have negative impacts on native species if they did somehow survive Iceland’s climate.
Iceland Zoo Snakes
If you absolutely, positively must see a real snake in Iceland, you’ll need to buy a ticket. Zoos in Iceland are permitted to carry snakes, provided they complete all the bureaucratic requirements.
For instance, Reykjavík Zoo has acquired five ball pythons. These are nonvenomous, constrictive creatures out of West and Central Africa. To survive, the pythons need a nice, cozy environment of 70°F (21°C), which the zoo provides for their comfort.
Snakes that can be found in Iceland zoos are those that are kept in controlled environments such as terrariums or vivariums. You might see species of snakes like corn snake, the ball python, and the king snake in Icelandic zoos.
These snakes are popular in zoos and terrariums due to their small size and laid-back personalities, making them easy to care for.
The zoo at Reykjavík is the largest in all of Iceland. Its reptile exhibit came about after a local pet store imported the creatures, then sold them to the zoo.
Conclusion
In the countryside of Iceland, there exists exactly one kind of snake: The sand snake. They are not a product of the animal kingdom but of volcanoes, lava, and the wind. Living reptiles can only be found in the Domestic Zoo in Laugardalur, Reykjavík.
Other things to see in Iceland are the Northern Lights and the Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Pack heavy—but you can leave that vial of antivenom at home.
