Russell's viper

noun

1. a large venomous snake, Vipera russelli, common in India and southeastern Asia, having three rows of large, black-edged brown spots on a light-brown body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Russell's viper¹

First recorded in 1905–10; named in honor of Patrick Russell (1727–1805), Scottish physician and naturalist

Example Sentences

Tamil Nadu has high numbers of four venomous snakes whose bites can seriously affect humans: the spectacled cobra, the Russell's viper, the saw-scaled viper and the common krait.

From Science Daily

Indian antivenom targets the “big four” species of venomous snakes in the region: the Indian cobra, the common krait, Russell's viper and the saw-scaled viper.

From Scientific American

For Russell's viper bites, the antivenom seems to produce fewer allergic reactions than other available options.

From Scientific American

Two rounds later, it defeated Arth Dalsania, who swapped in an “a” for the “u” in “katuka,” a venomous snake also known as Russell’s viper.

From New York Times

She had been bitten by a Russell's viper - a highly venomous earth-coloured snake responsible for thousands of deaths in India every year.

From BBC