Daboia russelii (Shaw & Nodder, 1797) Russell’s viper	Diagnostic characters:
	Body stout with strongly keeled scales; head triangular, broader than neck; scales on upper surface of head small; nostril very large; eyes with vertical pupil; tail short and thin. Dorsum brown or yellowish-brown with three longitudinal series of prominent large brown or black oval or round spots forming a chain-like pattern. SVL: 1500mm.
	Habit and Habitat:
	Usually nocturnal; found in open grassy area, scrub jungle, rocky hillocks, forest edges hillocks, dense thorny hedgerows
	Diet:
	Feeds on rodents, including the Indian Gerbil.
	Legal Protection:
	WL (P) A, 1972-Schedule II
	Conservation status and Threats:
	Least Concern. Common.  No serious threat observed.
	Distribution: Madhya Pradesh: Throughout. Elsewhere in India: Throughout, except Northeast India. Elsewhere outside: Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh