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| Vipera russelii (Russell's Viper ) |
Vipera russelii russelii
| Scientific Name: |
Vipera russelii russelii |
| English Name : |
Russell’s Viper |
| Local Name : |
Kauryala , Khuppur |
Distinguishing Features
i. They are poisonous snakes.
ii. Their venom is haemotoxic in nature.
iii. The body is very stout, flattened dorso-ventrallly and tapering on the posterior and anterior sides.
iv. The snout is blunt and pointed.
v. The head is long and triangular in shape. It is distinctly wider than the neck.
vi. Two large dark spots are present at the base of the head.
vii. The chin and throat are white in colour.
viii. The dorsal scales are keeled and some of the scales are tipped with black markings.
ix. Brown and cream spots are present on both sides of the labial and snout.
x. The belly is pinkish or white in colour and possesses black and semilunar scales.
xi. The dorsal surface is light tan to sandy in colour.
xii. The number of scales on the upper labial varies from 11 – 12.
xiii. The number of scales on the lower labial varies from 13 – 15.
xiv. The body is covered with large, oval, chestnut spots. These spots have black or dark brown borders, which are narrowly edged with cream colour. Similar smaller spots are also present on the lateral side of the body.
Size
Its length varies from 1000- 1320 mm.
Habit and Habitat
This specie of poisonous snakes inhabit salt bush scrubs, cultivated fields and marshy areas. Thick bushes and clump of trees are their preferred resting places.
They are nocturnal in habit, but in late winter they also come out in the daytime in search of food. These snakes are aggressive by nature and if provoked they hiss vigorously and attack.
Food
They normally live on mice, rats, frogs, chicks, small birds and their eggs.
Distribution
This specie is found in India, Srilanka and Pakistan. In Pakistan they are found in Sindh and Punjab.
Breeding:
Mating season: February - March
Birth: Female gives birth to 16 - 25 young ones in the months of May and June
Economic Importance
Their skin has great commercial value and used in the making of shoes, purses local and other decorative pieces.
Status
Common in Sindh, but rare in Punjab.
Threats
They are excessively killed by jogis for skin. | 
