Snakebite incidence at least partly depends on the biology of the snakes involved. However, studies of snake biology have been largely neglected in favour of anthropic factors, with the exception of taxonomy, which has been recognised for some decades to affect the design of antivenoms. Despite this, within-species venom variation and the unpredictability of the correlation with antivenom cross-reactivity has continued to be problematic. Meanwhile, other aspects of snake biology, including behaviour, spatial ecology and activity patterns, distribution, and population demography, which can contribute to snakebite mitigation and prevention, remain underfunded and understudied. Here, we review the literature relevant to these aspects of snakebite and illustrate how demographic, spatial, and behavioural studies can improve our understanding of why snakebites occur and provide evidence for prevention strategies. We identify the large gaps that remain to be filled and urge that, in the future, data and relevant metadata be shared openly via public data repositories so that studies can be properly replicated and data used in future meta-analyses.

We provide a molecular phylogeny of Asian pit vipers (the genus Gloydius) based on four mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, ND4, and cytb). Sequences of Gloydius himalayanus, the only member of the genus that occurs south of the Himalayan range, are included for the first time. In addition, two new species of the genus Gloydius are described based on specimens collected from Zayu, Tibet, west of the Nujiang River and Heishui, Sichuan, east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The new species, Gloydius lipipengi sp. nov., can be differentiated from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: the third supralabial not reaching the orbit (separated from it by a suborbital scale); wide, black-bordered greyish postorbital stripe extending from the posterior margin of the orbit (not separated by the postoculars, covering most of the anterior temporal scale) to the ventral surface of the neck; irregular black annular crossbands on the mid-body; 23-21-15 dorsal scales; 165 ventral scales, and 46 subcaudal scales. Gloydius swildsp. nov. can be differentiated from its congeners by the narrower postorbital stripe (only half the width of the anterior temporal scale, the lower edge is approximately straight and bordered with white); a pair of arched stripes on the occiput; lateral body lakes black spots; a pair of round spots on the parietal scales; 21 rows of mid-body dorsal scales; zigzag dark brown stripes on the dorsum; 168–170 ventral scales, and 43–46 subcaudal scales. The molecular phylogeny in this study supports the sister relationship between G. lipipengisp. nov. and G. rubromaculatus, another recently described species from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, more than 500 km away, and indicate the basal position of G. himalayanus within the genus and relatively distant relationship to its congeners.

Background: Snakebite envenoming, classified as a neglected tropical disease, poses a significant threat to life in India, where it is estimated to cause 58 000 fatalities as well as 140 000 morbidities annually. To reduce the occurrence of snakebite, we need a comprehensive understanding of human–snake conflict ecology. Snake rescue networks represent a vital resource for gathering such ecological data. Methods: In this study, we utilised snake rescue data from 520 rescue encounters carried out by a local rescue network in Hooghly, West Bengal, from July 2020 to October 2022, to investigate patterns of human–snake conflict and the influence of climatic factors on these patterns. Results: The spectacled cobra Naja naja was the most encountered of the five venomous species involved in 365 rescues. Our analysis revealed a significant correlation between rescue location and venomous/non-venomous encounters, with non-venomous encounters being more prevalent inside built-up locations. Rainfall on the previous day significantly increased encounters and influenced the species involved, while daily minimum temperature also influenced encounters with venomous species. We also found that both Bungarus (krait) species present were mostly encountered between 18:00 h and midnight. Conclusions: This study highlights the multifaceted factors influencing human-snake conflicts in the region, including seasonality, geographic location, rainfall patterns, and temperature dynamics. It underscores the potential of snake rescue data as a valuable resource for deepening our understanding of regional variations in snake–human interactions.

Gloydius is a widespread pitviper group occurring from Eastern Europe to Korea and Siberia, with only one known species, G. himalayanus (Günther, 1864), found south of the Himalayas. We provide combined genetic and morphological data for G. himalayanus from specimens collected from Himachal Pradesh, India. Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analysis were performed on four concatenated mitochondrial genes, along with a multi-locus coalescent analysis of these and five additional nuclear genes. Our results indicate that G. himalayanus from the Chamba Valley, in western Himachal Pradesh, are highly distinct from the remaining studied populations. Haplotype networks of each nuclear locus showed that G. himalayanus contains high haplotype diversity with low haplotype sharing between the Chamba Valley population and populations from further west. Principal component analysis and canonical variate analysis conducted on morphological data of live and museum specimens also highlight the morphological distinctiveness of the Chamba population and we herein describe this population as a new species, Gloydius chambensis sp. nov. Recent descriptions of other new species of snakes from this valley underscores its isolation and suggests that further herpetological investigation of the highly dissected landscapes of the western Himalayas is needed to assess the true diversity of the region.

The ambitious WHO goal of halving snakebite mortality by 2030 is challenged by a number of logistical hurdles, none more so than in India where snakebite envenomation presents a multifaceted challenge. We have collaborated with several organizations focused on snakebite in India over the last 11 years, with an emphasis on fieldwork to collect samples from venomous snakes in various regions, particularly understudied regions in the northeast and western Himalayas. This programme has encountered several significant obstacles, including securing permits from government organizations to collect snake samples in the field, obtaining long-term research funding, coordinating multidisciplinary collaboration on snakebite projects and engaging with grassroots stakeholders who are most affected by snakebite incidents. We emphasize the necessity of adopting a nationally coordinated yet regionally diversified approach that accounts for the biogeographical and cultural complexity of the country.