My name is Vinny. I am a pit viper mortal na Terra , – translated from Portugese – “the deadliest pit viper on earth.” I live on an island off the coast of Brazil that is completely devoid of humans, but there are five us for every square meter of Snake Island.

Snake Island is a nickname that local fishermen and others have given to Ilha de Queimada Grande, 430,000 square meters of dense jungle, the floor of which is covered with us. I, and by extension, we, belong to the species Fer De Lance pit viper. Local legend has it that my brothers and I guard our island forest with deadly ferocity. That’s true. The English phrase, “mean as a snake" was coined by us.

My species is called “Golden Lancehead,” and I am seriously beautiful as snakes go. I am quick, aggressive and my venom is the nastiest of any snake in the world.

If you should come across me or any of the Fer de lance family, note that I am trying to kill you not out of malice, but self-defense.

I am beautiful, actually, drop dead gorgeous.