BEHAVIOUR AND CAPTIVE CARE OF TRUE VIPERS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS TO Daboia russelii russelii OR THE INDIAN RUSSELL'S VIPER

There are mainly three species of true vipers found on the Indian sub continent. Namely

Description (Russell's Viper): Body stout, strongly keeled, head distinct broader than neck, scales on upper surface of head small. Usually nocturnal, found on open grassy areas, scrub jungles, forest edges and in and around mangrove forests. Diet comprises of rodents but has also been seen feeding on chicks in a nest. Females bear 5-63 live young in May- August.

Behavior: When disturbed hisses loudly and the sound resembles that of a pressure cooker; only bites as a last resort. Although slow crawling, the snake is capable of fast strikes.

The venom is haemotoxic in nature and causes a lot of tissue and kidney damage if bitten. In India many people are bitten every year by this species. It is considered as one of the "big four" venomous snakes in India. Usually not fatal if polyvalent antivenin (AVS) serum is administered on time.

Distribution: Throughout India, also Pakistan, probably southern Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka (subspecies), Myanmar and Thailand.

Enclosure/Housing requirements: As it is terrestrial snake, the theme of the enclosure should be a bit soily with a lot of hiding spaces. An artificial termite mound made up of plaster does a good job. Overall it is a very difficult snake to maintain in captivity as most snake parks and collectors cannot fulfill the needs. As it is quite active in nature there should be enough space in the cage. Length of at least 4ft with width of 2ft, and a height of 1.6ft/2ft is needed. Enclosures can be landscaped that allow the snake to bask when it desires to do so. After keeping them for fairly a long period of time it has been understood that basking is particularly important for this species. The temperature of the enclosure can vary between 28-31 degree Centigrade with a humidity of 70-80%.

Lighting: a 25-watt bulb or a heat pot is needed if the enclosure cannot be exposed to sunlight. In that case no artificial lighting system can substitute the vitamins acquired by exposed sunlight. Editor's Note: The SHHS recommends overhead lighting on one end of the cage.

Feeding: Feeds almost exclusively on rodents (rats) in captivity. Of course I always keep them on lab rats, which are humanely killed, and the gastrointestinal system neatly removed to prevent any kind of outbreak of disease. There is one more reason to provide dead prey items, during the capture, injuries, and even deaths has been inflicted on snakes from live rodents. Frequency and quantity should be based on how active and healthy the snake is.

Breeding: I have never actually bred them in captivity, but a local snake park reported that they have successfully conducted the process. In the month of June, 11 individuals were born out of which 5 were females. But this report needs further confirmation.

Handling: Like all venomous snakes, this snake also should be handled very carefully for it has one of the most toxic venoms in the world and accounts for a large percentage of snakebites and deaths in south Asia. Usually not aggressive but if bothered lunges forward with great determination. The best way to handle these snakes is by pinning it down with the help of the handle on the snake stick or maybe with a pinning rod and/or persuading it to enter a restraining tube for closer inspection.

Tools of trade: while handling Russell's viper I always use a L shaped stick with a three feet long shaft. Midwest Gentle Giant tongs are actually made to tackle the vipers and I recommend all keepers to use one of these while handling the Russell's viper.

Anti-venom: antivenin should always be in hand for any kind of emergency. Haffkins Institute, Mumbai, India, produces a polyvalent form and is affective against its bite.

Bengal chemicals is also known to produce antivenins for Russell's. Viper venom.

Other problems: continuous open mouth gaping can be a sign that the snake is overheating> On observing the snake should be immediately taken to some cooler environment.

The snake is prone to diseases , especially parasitic. In that case proper medication is needed.

This paper has been prepared under the observations of Chirag Jyoti Roy with hopes that it will help keepers in understanding this common but poorly understood species. The author would like to hear from the readers their views on the topic and if there is any success of breeding this species in captivity in India or abroad.

With best wishes to all…

Chirag Jyoti Roy

Herpetologist

India.

Herpetofauna_snakes@hotmail.com

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