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What the sources say

Russell's ViperDaboia russelii

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Russell's Viper profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 34 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Suraj et al. 2021

Suraj et al. (2021). Daboia russelii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T172710A1372376.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: stats.conservationStatus. Assessed 2019 (published in the 2021-3 Red List); read through GBIF's copy of the Red List, which is cited in this note rather than as a source.

Source
02

The Reptile Database

Daboia russelii. The Reptile Database.

The page saysPakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
The source saysPakistan, India (Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Northern Bengal, Telangana, Odisha), Nepal, Sri Lanka (elevation up to 1500 m), Bangladesh, BhutanNote: stats.habitat; Bhutan left out because the same page says 'Possibly in Bhutan'
The page saysLengths of up to 1.6 metres (about 5 feet) are not uncommon.
The source saysTotal length to 1600 mm are not uncommon (fide Smith 1943:484)Note: 1600 mm = 1.6 m = 5.2 ft
The page saysThe Reptile Database says snakes reaching 1.6 metres, a little over 5 feet, are not uncommon.
The source saysTotal length to 1600 mm are not uncommon (fide Smith 1943:484)Note: FAQ; 1600 mm = 5.25 ft
The page saysThe head is clearly set off from the neck.
The source sayshead very distinct from neck
The page saysThe back is light brown with three lengthwise rows of large, black-edged blotches, and the middle row often joins into a chain-like stripe.
The source sayscolor above light brown with 3 longitudinal series of large black-margined brown spots or blotches, the vertebral series often merging to form a chain-like longitudinal stripe
The page saysThe eye has a vertical, oval pupil, and no sensory pit sits between nostril and eye.
The source saysNo sensory pit between nostril and eye; ... eye, with vertically elliptic pupil
The page saysIt gives birth to live young, 5 to 50 at a time.
The source saysovoviviparous, 5-50 live offspring.
The page saysIt lives in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The source saysPakistan, India (Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Northern Bengal, Telangana, Odisha), Nepal, Sri Lanka (elevation up to 1500 m), Bangladesh, Bhutan
The page saysIn Sri Lanka it is recorded up to 1,500 m.
The source saysSri Lanka (elevation up to 1500 m)
The page saysThe Reptile Database calls it possibly the most common of the dangerously venomous snakes in southern Asia.
The source saysPossibly the most common of the dangerously venomous snakes occurring in southern Asia
The page saysThe former subspecies siamensis has been raised to a full species; this profile covers D. russelii only.
The source saysWüster (1998) recognized only russelii and siamensis as subspecies. Daboia russelii siamensis (SMITH 1917) has been elevated to full species status.Note: 'this profile covers D. russelii only' is the site's scope statement, not a source claim

Source
03

Human Ageing Genomic Resources, AnAge

AnAge entry for Daboia russelii. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, AnAge.

The page saysAnAge lists an average adult weight of 1,306 grams, a little under 3 pounds.
The source saysAdult weight 1,306 gNote: 1,306 g = 2.88 lb
The page saysThe oldest one it records lived 15 years in captivity.
The source saysMaximum longevity 15 years (captivity)
The page saysAnAge lists 15 years as the maximum, set in captivity. It rates the sample behind that figure as small.
The source saysMaximum longevity 15 years (captivity) Source ref. 485 Sample size SmallNote: FAQ
The page saysweightKg: 1.3
The source saysAdult weight 1,306 gNote: battleStats; Light class

Source
04

Senji Laxme et al. 2021

Senji Laxme et al. (2021). Biogeographic venom variation in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) and the preclinical inefficacy of antivenom therapy in snakebite hotspots. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The page saysA South Asian viper whose venom varies across India, enough that one antivenom did poorly against snakes from the semi-arid north in mouse tests.
The source sayssignificant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms ... low preclinical efficacy against the semi-arid population from northern IndiaNote: tagline
The page saysin nearly every biogeographic zone of India and at 2,000 m and above in the Himalaya
The source sayscan be found in all biogeographical zones, with the exception of Trans-Himalayas, most of Northeast India and the Islands. The near-countrywide distribution across diverse habitats and presence even at elevations of 2,000 m and above in the Himalayan regionNote: stats.habitat
The page saysat 2,000 m and above in the Himalaya
The source sayspresence even at elevations of 2,000 m and above in the Himalayan regionNote: stats.habitat
The page saysVenom that differs significantly between five Indian regions, in composition and potency
The source sayssignificant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms sourced from five distinct biogeographic zones across IndiaNote: stats.superpower
The page saysRussell's viper (Daboia russelii) does not carry one fixed venom.
The source sayssignificant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms
The page saysA 2021 study compared venom from five biogeographic zones of India, regions defined by climate and landscape.
The source saysfive distinct biogeographic zones across IndiaNote: 'defined by climate and landscape': paper says India's zones arise from 'highly variable climatic and topological conditions'
The page saysIt found significant differences in the venom's makeup, chemistry and potency.
The source sayssignificant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms
The page saysIn mouse tests, one commercial Indian antivenom worked about equally well against four of the five populations, but poorly against the one from India's semi-arid north.
The source saysthe Premium Serums antivenom exhibited surprisingly similar efficacy in countering the lethal effects of venom from four out of the five D . russelii populations in a mouse model of envenomingNote: mice: 'CD-1 male mice' in the methods; one antivenom (Premium Serums) went to in vivo tests; semi-arid north is the exception per the abstract
The page saysbut poorly against the one from India's semi-arid north
The source sayswith the exception of low preclinical efficacy against the semi-arid population from northern IndiaNote: blockquote, second half
The page saysIn India it turns up in nearly every biogeographic zone, apart from the Trans-Himalayas, most of the northeast and the islands, and it reaches 2,000 m or more in the Himalaya.
The source sayscan be found in all biogeographical zones, with the exception of Trans-Himalayas, most of Northeast India and the Islands. The near-countrywide distribution across diverse habitats and presence even at elevations of 2,000 m and above in the Himalayan region
The page saysThe 2021 study says it seems to be responsible for the majority of India's fatal envenomings and long-term injuries.
The source saysD. russelii seemingly being responsible for the majority of fatal envenomings and cases of long-term morbidity
The page saysNo. Venom from five regions of India differed significantly in what it contains and how potent it is, and an antivenom tested in mice did poorly against the semi-arid north.
The source sayssignificant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms sourced from five distinct biogeographic zones across India ... low preclinical efficacy against the semi-arid population from northern IndiaNote: FAQ

Source
05

Tan et al. 2015

Tan et al. (2015). Functional venomics of the Sri Lankan Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) and its toxinological correlations. Journal of Proteomics.

The page saysA 2015 study took apart the venom of Sri Lankan snakes.
The source saysThe venom proteome (venomics) of the Sri Lankan Daboia russelii was elucidated
The page saysBasic PLA2s make up about 35 percent of that venom's protein.
The source saysbasic PLA2 in high abundance (35.0%)Note: Sri Lankan Russell's viper only; 35.0% is relative abundance in the proteome, not a share of the 41 protein types
The page saysThe researchers call these enzymes neurotoxic, meaning they attack nerves.
The source saysThe venom content was dominated by the neurotoxic basic phospholipases A2Note: Sri Lankan Russell's viper only; 'meaning they attack nerves' is a definition
The page saysThey say the mix fits the effects seen in Sri Lankan patients: bleeding, blood-clotting trouble, kidney failure, nerve and muscle damage, and red blood cells bursting.
The source saysit correlates with the clinical manifestations of Sri Lankan D. russelii envenomation which include hemorrhage, coagulopathy, renal failure, neuro-myotoxicity and intravascular hemolysisNote: Sri Lankan snakes

Source
06

Ariaratnam et al. 2009

Ariaratnam et al. (2009). Syndromic Approach to Treatment of Snake Bite in Sri Lanka Based on Results of a Prospective National Hospital-Based Survey of Patients Envenomed by Identified Snakes. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

The page saysA survey published in 2009 identified 860 snakes brought to ten Sri Lankan hospitals along with the patients they had bitten: Russell's vipers and hump-nosed pit vipers were the most numerous.
The source saysOf 860 snakes brought to 10 hospitals in Sri Lanka with the patients they had bitten, 762 (89%) were venomous. Russell's vipers (Daboia russelii) and hump-nosed pit vipers (Hypnale hypnale) were the most numerous

Source
07

Khandakar & Jeny 2020

Khandakar & Jeny (2020). New distributional records of Russell’s Vipers, Daboia russelii (Shaw and Nodder 1797), in Bangladesh. Reptiles & Amphibians.

The page saysRodents, crabs, frogs, lizards and birds
The source sayswith a diet comprised of rodents, crabs, frogs, liz - ards, and birdsNote: stats.diet; the note cites Das 2002

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.