Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) is a highly venomous snake found throughout Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia. It is known for its distinctive diamond-shaped head and venomous bite, which can cause severe health problems and even death in humans. In this article, we will provide a detailed description of Russell’s viper, including its scalation, appearance, natural history, habitat, behavior, reproduction, location, and the strength of its venom. Russell’s viper is a large, heavy-bodied snake that can grow up to 5 feet in length. It has a distinct triangular or diamond-shaped head, with two small eyes that have vertical pupils. Its body is thick and muscular, with a series of scales covering its entire length. The scales on its back are keeled, or rough to the touch, while those on its belly are smooth.
Scalation
Russell’s viper has a distinctive scalation pattern. It has 25-31 rows of dorsal scales, with 165-200 ventral scales and 38-50 subcaudal scales. The anal plate is divided, and it has a single preocular and two postocular scales.
Scalation of Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii):
- 25-31 rows of dorsal scales
- 165-200 ventral scales
- 38-50 subcaudal scales
- Divided anal plate
- Single preocular scale
- Two postocular scales
- Keeled (rough) scales on the back
- Smooth scales on the belly
- Small and irregularly shaped scales on the head
- Frontal scale wider than long
- Pair of enlarged, movable fangs in the front of the mouth
Appearance
Natural History
Russell’s viper is a highly adaptable species that is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. It is a nocturnal species, preferring to hunt and travel at night. It is an ambush predator that feeds on a variety of prey, including rodents, lizards, and birds.
Habitat
Russell’s viper is found throughout Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia. It is commonly found in forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas, as well as in urban areas, where it can thrive in the presence of rodents and other prey.
Behavior
Russell’s viper is a highly venomous snake that can deliver a potent bite. It is known for its aggressive behavior, and will often strike when it feels threatened. It is also known for its “hissing” sound, which it produces by forcefully expelling air through its nostrils.
Reproduction
Russell’s viper is an oviparous species, with females laying a clutch of 20-60 eggs in a burrow or other sheltered location. The eggs hatch after a period of around two months, and the young snakes are independent from birth.
Location
Russell’s viper is found throughout Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Venomous or Non-venomous
Russell’s viper is a highly venomous species that can deliver a potent bite. Its venom is primarily hemotoxic, meaning it causes damage to the blood vessels and can lead to internal bleeding. It can also cause tissue damage and other health problems, including kidney failure and paralysis. The strength of the venom can vary depending on the location and the individual snake, but it is generally considered one of the most potent snake venoms in the world. Russell’s viper is a highly venomous snake found throughout Asia, known for its distinctive triangular or diamond-shaped head and potent hemotoxic venom.
