Russell's Viper gives birth to 53 at Bannerghatta park

SPECIAL ATTRACTION: The 53 newborn Russel’s Vipers have become a huge draw at the Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bangalore. Photo: Special Arrangement

A Russell's Viper gave birth to 53 young ones at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bangalore on the night of May 31.

Unlike other oviparous reptiles that lay eggs, a Russell's Viper is a viviparous reptile that litters its young ones.

The park's Executive Director, Dr. R. Raju told

The Hindu that the population of Russell's Vipers in the Bannerghatta Biological Park has now gone up to 59 with the addition of 53 young ones.

“We will keep them with us for a few days before releasing then in the nature in the forests. Though another Russell's Viper had given birth to about 45 young ones a few months ago, many of them were released into the nearby forests. We can't keep all of them in the same park”, Dr. Raju said.