Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii) | Snake | Wildkeeda

 

 Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii) | Snake | Wildkeeda

Russell's Viper

                                                                                                                                           Daboia russelii

VENOMOUS

At birth 240mm (10in)

Adalis 1000mm (39in) Maximum 1800mm (71 in)

Description

Body stout, rough in appearance. Scales strongly keeled. Triangular head broader than neck; scales on upper surface of head small, strongly keeled; nostril very large. Eye has vertical pupil. Tail small, thin. Brown or yellowish-brown, with three longitudinal series of prominent, large brown or black oval or round spots. The "spots" may have pointed ends, may meet to form a chain-like pattern, or may have narrow white or cream margins. Top of head usually has narrow white A saaped mark and a pair of triangular oval dark brown markings. Two black triangular streaks behind and below eye. Lips scales mottled with brown. Underside white/speckled with crescent marks. A notable color variation seen in Mangalore - body almost uniform reddish brown, with pattern very indistinct or altogether absent.

Scalation

Scales in 25-29 : 27-33 : 21-23 rows, strongly keeled; ventrals 153-180; subcaudals 41-64, paired. Canthus rostralis distinct, nostril very large; supranasal crescentic.

Behavior

Usually nighttime. Found in open lush territories, scour wilderness, woodland edges, rough hillocks, thick prickly hedgerows and in and around mangroves (Mumbai coast). Feeds on rodents, including the Indian Gerbil Females bear 6-63 live youthful in May-July. At the point when upset, murmurs uproariously, similar to a pressing factor cooker" and just nibbles if all else fails. In spite of the fact that normally lethargic, prepared to do amazingly quick strikes. One of India's Big Four medically important snakes, they cause as many, or more, snakebites than cobras. Being substantial bodied snare trackers. they are bound to hold fast than other venomous snakes. The vast majority are chomped around evening time when they step on a snake. While generally not lethal, any Russell's Viper chomp should be treated as fast as conceivable with antivenom serum availablee in India.

Distribution

Throughout India. Also Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh. Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand). Has been found 2756m (9040ft). above sea level.

 Orissa: In the dry zones of Similipal; also found throughout the state. Elsewhere in India: Throughout, except Northeast Indu. Elsewhere cutside: Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Look-alikes

Indian Rock Python. Common Sand Boa.