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Source– This post on Russell’s Viper has been created based on the article “Bangladesh reels from surge in snake bites” published in “BBC” on 21 June 2024.
Why in the news?
Recently, Bangladesh has ordered all health centres and hospitals to stock anti-venom after reports of an increase in snake bites, particularly by Russell’s viper.
About Russell’s Viper
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. Russell’s Viper is a highly venomous snake found in Asia, belonging to the family Viperidae. 2. The species is named after Patrick Russell, a Scottish herpetologist who described many of India’s snakes in the 1790s. 3. It is one of the “big four” deadliest snakes in India, along with the Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), the Indian Cobra (Naja naja), and the Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus). |
| Scientific name | Daboia russeli |
| Geographical distribution | Russell’s Vipers are found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Cambodia, Tibet, China (Guangxi, Guangdong), Taiwan, and Indonesia. |
| Habitat | 1. They avoid dense forests and are mostly found in open, grassy, or bushy areas. 2. They can also be found in second-growth forests, forested plantations, and farmlands. 3. They often live in farmlands where they encounter humans and hunt rodents, leading to a high number of snakebite incidents. 4. However, they tend to avoid human contact and only bite when stepped on or handled. |
| Features | Russell’s Viper can grow up to 1.5 meters long. It is identified by its distinctive reddish-brown spots outlined in black and white. The snake has a wide, triangular head with small, overlapping scales, large nostrils, and small eyes with vertical pupils. It is mainly active at night (nocturnal) and often stays in one place for several days unless disturbed. |
| Conservation status | According to the IUCN Red List, the Russell’s Viper is classified as Least Concern. |
UPSC Syllabus: Species in news
