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How powerful is the venom of Russell's viper? Scientists reveal deadly secret!
The Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) is a venomous snake native to South Asia, known for its highly dangerous and extremely painful bite. This snake is considered one of the "four venomous snakes" in India, and the deadly properties of its venom have attracted widespread attention from scientists. They are studying the creature with its deadly secrets to understand the actual power of its venom and its effects on humans.
The Russell Viper's venom is made up of five different ingredients, each of which is less toxic when tested individually, but their combined effect is very powerful.
Characteristics of venom
According to research, the average venom yield of Russell's viper is between 130 and 250 milligrams, which is enough to pose a fatal threat to humans. One scientist noted that 40 to 70 milligrams of venom is enough to be fatal for most adults, apparently delivered in a single bite. The toxicity of venom is not only related to the age and size of the snake, but also closely related to predation and environmental factors.
Anatomy and distribution
Russell's viper is distributed in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, mainly inhabiting open grasslands or shrubs. They have a stocky build with a distinctly triangular head, and have highly adaptable traits such as unique color patterns that help them conceal themselves in their natural environment.
Scientists have discovered that Russell's vipers can respond to heat cues, further evidence that they possess some kind of heat-sensitive organ.
Symptoms after a bite
Victims bitten by Russell's vipers will experience intense pain, followed by swelling, bleeding and other symptoms. In many cases, victims experience a drop in blood pressure and slow heart rate within 20 minutes of the bite. In addition, severe bleeding and renal failure often occur, and improper treatment may have fatal consequences.
Early medical and antitoxin treatment can significantly reduce the chance of developing severe and potentially fatal complications.
Development and application of antitoxins
India's Haffkine Institute has developed a polyvalent antitoxin for the treatment of Russell's viper bites. Meanwhile, the Clodomiro Picado Institute from Costa Rica is developing new antitoxins and conducting clinical trials in Sri Lanka.
Scientific value of research
The Russell's viper's venom is not only notable for its toxicity, but its effectiveness has led to its venom being widely used in blood coagulation tests. This test is very common in hospital laboratories because it is very sensitive for the detection of autoimmune diseases and therefore has important clinical applications.
Summary
In summary, the venom of Russell's viper is extremely lethal and poses a significant threat to humans. Scientists are still working to uncover the secrets of the snake's venom in the hope of developing more effective treatments. Let's think, is there some correlation between this creature's deadly properties and its survival advantages?
