Snake Island (Massachusetts) facts for kids
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Snake Island, also called Bare Island, is a small island in Boston Harbor. It is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. This special area protects many islands around Boston. Snake Island is located between the town of Winthrop and the land where Logan International Airport now stands. This airport land was once part of the sea, but it was filled in to create new land.
The island is part of the Town of Winthrop. It got its name, "Snake Island," because of its curvy, snake-like shape. Snake Island is about 3 acres (12,000 square meters) in size. It rises about 10 feet (3 meters) above the water.
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History of Snake Island
Snake Island has had many different owners since the 1700s. In the past, people used the island for different things.
Early Uses
- Grazing Land: Farmers used the island to let their animals, like cows or sheep, eat grass there.
- Fishermen's Camp: Some fishermen, who caught lobsters and clams, lived on the island for a while. They built simple shelters there.
- Steamer Home: In the 1900s, an old ship that could no longer sail was stuck near the island. Some lobstermen from Winthrop used this old ship as their home.
Today's Island
Today, no one lives on Snake Island. It is protected as "conservation land." This means the land is kept natural to protect its plants and animals. People can only visit the island using their own private boats.
Island Features
Snake Island is very close to the town of Winthrop. It is less than a quarter-mile (about 400 meters) from two of Winthrop's shores.
Unique Lagoon
One special thing about Snake Island is its inner lagoon. A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from the main sea. This lagoon fills up and partly drains with the ocean tides. The entrance to the lagoon is narrow and winding, only about six feet wide. It is usually too shallow for even a small boat like a canoe or kayak to enter, unless the tide is unusually high.
Wildlife Habitat
The lagoon and the island's quiet nature make it a great place for birds. Many different kinds of birds, including those that migrate (travel long distances), visit or live on Snake Island. Because so many birds nest there, especially in the spring, parts of the island are closed to visitors. This helps protect the baby birds and their parents.
Changing Shape
In recent years, Snake Island has actually grown bigger! This is because the water around it has become shallower, especially on the west side. The island's long, thin "tail" now shows completely when the tide is low. Because the water is so shallow and there are muddy areas around the island, only very small boats that can land on a beach can reach it.
