What is Russell’s Viper?

About Russell’s Viper:

• It is a highly venomous terrestrial snake of the family Viperidae found in Asia. 
• Scientific Name: Daboia russeli
• The species is named after Patrick Russell, a Scottish herpetologist who first described many of India’s snakes in the 1790s.
• It is one of the big four snakes (deadliest snakes) in India, the others being the Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), the Indian Cobra (Naja naja) and the Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus).
• Distribution: Russell's vipers are found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Cambodia, Tibet, China (Guangxi, Guangdong), Taiwan, and Indonesia.
• Habitat:
  • They tend to avoid dense forests.
  • They are mostly found in open, grassy, or bushy areas, but may also be found in second-growth forests (scrub jungles), on forested plantations, and on farmland.
• It is a major cause of snakebite deaths within its range because it often exists in farmlands where human contact and rodent prey is abundant. 
  • However, it tends to avoid human contact and does not actively seek to bite people.
  • Most bites occur when humans inadvertently step on or try to handle the snake.
  • Most fatalities occur due to delayed medical treatment.
• Features:
  • The snake can grow up to 1.5 meters and is identified by its distinctive reddish-brown spots outlined in black and white.
  • It has a wide, triangular head with small, overlapping scales, large nostrils, and small eyes with vertical pupils.
  • It is mainly nocturnal, becoming active as the sun fades.
  • These snakes are quite sedentary, often staying in one place for several days unless disturbed.
• Conservations Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern