Haffkine Institute welcomes 36 baby Russell’s vipers

A Russell’s viper (Daboia), in captivity for the last two months for observation, gave birth to 36 babies in a single litter last week at the Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing, Parel. Senior doctors from the institute said these babies would be kept at the institute until they would be fit for release in the forest along with the mother.

Dr Nishigandha Naik, the director of the Haffkine institute, said almost two months ago they had rescued two female Russell’s vipers, one from Baramati and a rare albino variety from Turbhe. “We had rescued the Russell's vipers to prepare anti-venom for research. But as one rescued from Baramati was pregnant, we kept her in an incubated box. Last week, she gave birth to 36 babies in the serpentarium of our institute.” she added.

A herpetologist from the institute said that unlike other snakes, Russell's vipers don't lay eggs. They give birth in a litter. “Unlike most snakes, which lay eggs, Russell’s vipers give birth to live young ones. These babies moult as soon as they are born and are poisonous immediately after

birth. They are independent from Day 1. Since they do not lay eggs, the chances of survival of their young ones are much higher,” he added.

He further said, "At birth, juveniles are 215–260 mm (8.5–10.2 in) in total length and the average venom yield of the juvenile is between 8–79 mg (mean 45 mg). Moreover, venom yields for adult specimens range from 130–250 mg to 150–250 mg to 21–268 mg."

This is not the first instance

of snake reproduction at the institute. In May, a cobra caught from Palghar laid 21 eggs.

The hatchlings were later released the mother into the forest.

In India, around 3 lakh snake bites cases are reported every year, with as many as 50,000 deaths. In fact, World Health Organization (WHO) data shows around over one lakh snake bite victims suffer from permanent deformity.

This is not the first instance of snake reproduction at the institute. In May, a cobra caught from Palghar laid 21 eggs. The hatchlings were later released along with the mother into the forest