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Russell’s Viper

Russell’s viper is a species of venomous snake found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern parts of China and Taiwan. The species is terrestrial and nocturnal particularly during hot weather. However, the snake changes its behavior during cool weather and becomes more active during the day.

Scientific Classification
Quick Information

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Subphylum	Vertebrata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Suborder	Serpentes
Family	Viperidae
Subfamily	Viperinae
Genus	Daboia
Scientific Name	Daboia russelii

Other Names	Chain Viper, Indian Russell’s viper, common Russell’s viper, seven pacer, chain snake, scissors snake
Length	Up to 166 cm (5.5 ft)
Color	Deep yellow, tan, or brown upper surface with three series of dark brown spots running along the length of the body, each spot has a black ring around it, the outer border of which has a rim of white or yellow; distinct dark patches on the head, one on each temple; a dark streak appears behind the eye bordered with white, pink or buff; white, whitish, yellowish, or pinkish underside often with non-uniform scattering of dark spots
Distribution	India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Tibet, Pakistan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Cambodia
Habitat	Open, grassy or bushy areas, second growth forests (scrub jungles), forested plantations, farmland, plains, coastal lowlands
Diet	Rodents, squirrels, shrews, land crabs, scorpions, birds, lizards, frogs
Venom Fact	Venomous
Breeding Season	April to July
Mode of Reproduction	Ovoviviparous (producing young ones by means of eggs hatched inside the body of the parent)
Litter Size	20 to 40 young
Gestation Period	More than 6 months
Reproductive Age	2 to 3 years of age
Average Lifespan	Up to 15 years in captivity
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern