Coimbatore: A Russell's Viper at VOC Park delivered 33 snakelets. All the snakelets are in a healthy state.
Coimbatore: A Russell's Viper at VOC Park delivered 33 snakelets. All the snakelets are in a healthy state.
The Coimbatore VOC park has various animals and birds such as crocodiles, parrots, monkeys, tortoise, peacocks, deers and pelican. There are nearly 500 varieties of birds and animals. The park is usually crowded with people who visit the zoo to have a look at these animals during the weekends. However, ever since the lockdown came into place, visitors have not been allowed to visit the zoo.
Two days ago a Russell's Viper, the species that hatch eggs in their bellies and deliver the younger ones, gave birth to 33 snakelets. The park doctor Senthilnathan said, "All the 33 snakelets are in a good state of heal. After a few days, they will be let out into forest areas safely with the assistance of the Forest Department."
He further informed that 34 kinds of snakes such as the rat snake, Cobra, Green snake and python are in the park.
The Russell's Viper gives birth to snakelets twice a year. On an average, it delivers 30 to 40 snakelets. However, not all of them survive. Mostly, 20 snakelets tend to remain alive.
Russell's Vipers are extremely poisonous as their venom affects the blood system directly and causes death, unlike other snake venoms.
The newly born snakelets will be let into forests in a few days, informed the park officials.