Mysore/Mysuru: City snake rescuers Mohammed Umar Shariff (Snake Umar) and Cobra Kumar, with the help of Police officer Mohan Kumar have rescued a Russell’s Viper from a 25 ft. well at Jockey Quarters recently.

Umar said that Mohan Kumar, also a snake rescuer, while rescuing a snake at Jockey Quarters learnt about a Russell’s Viper in the open well nearby from the residents, called Umar over the phone and informed him about the same.  

Umar, who was rescuing a snake at Bannimantap, rushed to Jockey Quarters and on inspecting the open dry well saw a Russell’s Viper, a venomous snake. The people there told him that the snake was inside the well since about a month and someone had placed a wooden log inside with its end projecting outside the well for the snake to climb up.

The next day morning, Umar along with Mohan Kumar and Cobra Kumar, took all the necessary rescue equipment and climbed down the well and saw the Viper snake which was thin and dehydrated. He then picked up the snake, placed it inside a rescue bag and climbed out of the well. After providing water, they (Umar, Mohan and Cobra Kumar) released it in its natural habitat.

About Russell’s Viper 

Russell’s Viper is a venomous snake found in Asia which are responsible for thousands of deaths in and across India each year. 

Russell’s Vipers are solitary terrestrial creatures. However, during cool weather, they become more active during the day and they  like to bask in the sun during the day. They are found in caves, cracks in the soil or under leaves, rocks etc. 

Adults move slowly and  become aggressive when threatened. Juveniles are more nervous in nature. When threatened, Russell’s Vipers form a series of S-loops, raise the first third of the body and produce a hiss that is louder than any other snake. When striking from this position, they can exert so much force that even a large individual can lift most of its body off the ground in the process. 

These snakes are strong and will react violently to being picked up. The bite may be a snap or they may hang on for many seconds. Russell’s Vipers are carnivores and feed primarily on rodents and also small reptiles. Many confuse it to be a Python and try to catch it, but end up getting bitten from this deadly venomous snake.

The bite of Russell’s Viper can be fatal. Large snakes can deliver a lethal dose in humans. Victims usually complain of pain and swelling may be evident. Substantial coagulopathy and acute renal failure may ensue, which may result in death.  Immediate medication could prevent death.