There are no venomous or dangerous animals on the island. In fact, there are no snakes at all on the island, and the spiders are not venomous. The only venomous spiders are on the Desertas Islands, but not on Madeira. With snakes and spiders out of our way, the only truly dangerous insect for us personally are bees.

That’s an excellent question, and the answer is a resounding no.

Madeira is one of the few places in the world that is completely free of any native snake species. This is a major point of pride and a key feature of the island’s ecosystem.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of why:

1. Geographic Isolation

Madeira is a volcanic archipelago located about 520 km off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from mainland Europe. It formed millions of years ago and was never connected to a continent. Snakes simply never had a way to get there naturally (by land bridge).

2. Strict Biosecurity Laws

Madeira, along with its neighboring island Porto Santo, has extremely strict laws to keep it snake-free. The importation of any snakes or reptiles is absolutely forbidden. This is to protect the unique and fragile native ecosystem, particularly the endangered native birds.

3. The One Exception: The Porto Santo Wall Gecko

While there are no snakes, there is one small, harmless reptile: the Madeira or Porto Santo Wall Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica). It’s often mistaken for a tiny snake from a distance because of its quick movements, but it is a completely harmless lizard crucial for controlling insects.

What You Might See (That Isn’t a Snake):

• Wall Geckos: As mentioned, these are common on walls and rocks, especially at night near lights.
• Lizards: The Madeira Lizard (Teira dugesii) is very common and can be seen scurrying on trails and stone walls.
• Slowworms: If you’re in more