The recent sightings of Russell's vipers in rural areas and urban outskirts of Bangladesh have led to increased fear among the public. Widespread rumours have further led to misinformation, misguiding people and causing panic. To address this, it is crucial to evaluate facts about the snake, ensuring communities are better prepared to handle abrupt encounters. Let's go over facts, myths, and the origin of Russell's viper. Introducing Russell's Viper This venomous snake, known scientifically as ‘Daboia russelii’, belongs to the family Viperidae. The species was named in honor of Patrick Russell, a Scottish herpetologist renowned for his pioneering descriptions of many snakes native to India. The genus name, ‘Daboia’, is derived from a Hindi word meaning ‘that lies hid’ or ‘the lurker’. However, recent studies have reclassified these South Asian snakes as a separate species, ‘Daboia siamensis’. The type locality is specifically listed as Coromandel Coast, India, as inferred by Russell in 1796. This southeastern coastal region of the Indian subcontinent borders the Bay of Bengal, where Bangladesh is also located. In Bangladesh, the snake is known as ‘Chandrabora’. Originally, this viper was primarily found in the Barendra region of Bangladesh. However, its range has expanded significantly to include areas along the banks of the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna rivers. The spread of this snake has caused widespread panic in numerous regions, including Barishal, Patuakhali, Manikganj, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Chandpur, and even villages on the outskirts of Dhaka. Presently, this venomous reptile is reported in at least 25 districts across Bangladesh. Read more: Locals rush to catch Russell’s vipers after bounty announcement by Faridpur AL leader Russell's Viper: Myth vs. Reality False information regarding this viper has been spreading across social media platforms, causing extensive public panic in Bangladesh. These misleading posts have generated significant misconceptions about the snake and its prevalence. However, the facts differ greatly from these rumors. Let's explore the most popular myths and the truths behind them. Native or Non-native to Bangladesh? Contrary to popular belief, Russell’s viper is native to Bangladesh as well as other countries in Southeast Asia. It was initially described in 1797 by English naturalist George Shaw and illustrator Frederick Polydore Nodder. According to the article ‘Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii) in Bangladesh: Its Boom and Threat to Human Life’, of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Science in 2018, two species of these snakes exist globally. Daboia Russelii is found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, whereas Daboia siamensis inhabits China, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Taiwan. The species was classified as 'critically endangered' in 2000 and remained 'near-threatened' at least until 2015 in Bangladesh by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Read more: What to do when you encounter a Russell's Viper: Environment Ministry issues guidelines Chasing People to Bite? In 2021, Mongabay published a research paper titled ‘Tracking Russell's viper in rural Karnataka unravels their behavior’, authored by organismal biologist Xavier Glaudas. Throughout his study, Glaudas had numerous close encounters with these vipers, yet remarkably, he was never bitten. He attributed this to the snake's tendency to remain concealed within vegetation. These vipers typically exhibit immobility when approached, occasionally retreating deeper into foliage or retracting their heads for camouflage.

A deadly Russell's Viper, one of the most lethal snake species known to mankind, was safely released back into the wild on Saturday night, after being rescued from the Gorai River in Kushtia. The snake was released in a remote sandbar of Kushtia after nightfall, with the help of a local nature lover and the Forest Department. The Russell's Viper is identified as one of the 'big four' species of venomous snakes belonging to India's historic geography (that includes lands now in Bangladesh, Pakistan). It is also found commonly around farmland further east, from Indonesia to Taiwan.  Read: Rare red coral kukri snake spotted again in Panchagarh It is one of the genera responsible for causing the most snakebite incidents and deaths among all venomous snakes due to many factors, such as their wide distribution, general aggressiveness, and frequent occurrence in highly populated areas.  Locals said Mridul Sheikh from Mangalbaria area of the town went fishing in the Gorai River on Wednesday and a five feet long snake got stuck in his net. He kept it in the bucket and brought it home as he found it to be rare. The snake's stomach was full of eggs and it was not moving much. The fisherman was trying to sell the snake. Being informed, Shahabuddin Milon, a nature lover and social worker from Thanapara area of Kushtia town, along with Kushtia Forest Department rescued the snake. Read:Tk75 crore snake venom seized in Dhaka Abdul Hamid, an official of the Kushtia Forest Department, said the snake was believed to have come from India with floodwater. Earlier, around a week ago, another Russell viper was caught in a fishing net from the Gorai river at Chheuria in Kumarkhali area of Kushtia.