Saw-scaled Viper
Echis carinatus
Description 3
INTRODUCTION
- Highly Venomous Viperine
- Part of Big 4 : High frequency of snakebites in India.
- Hemotoxic Venom : Swelling, Pain, Hemorrhage, Blistering and tissue damage.
- Highly Potent Venom. Causes most bites but very few deaths due to small size of the south Indian variety.
- 5 subspecies exist of which Echis carinatus carinatus is found in peninsular India.
IDENTIFICATION
- Triangular head much broader than neck and vertical pupils.
- Short, stout body with heavily keeled scales and stubby tail.
- Brick red colored body with zigzag pattern. '+' shaped pattern on head.
- Grow upto 1 feet on average. The northern variety is known to grow much larger.
- Looks similar to the common cat snake which usually has a Y shaped pattern on head.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
- Common throughout peninsular India and northwest India
- Not found northeast of Odisha and West Bengal.
- Inhabit open bushy areas, scrub jungles and rocky terrain.
- Hides under loose rocks, cracks, leaf litters and behind bark.
DIET AND BEHAVIOR
- Primarily feed on small rodents, geckos and sometimes insect and scorpions.
- Nocturnal species active from late evening. Active after rainy and humid nights
- Terrestrial but can climb scrub vegetation for basking during the day. Climb onto bushes when it rains.
- Capable of sidewinding adapted to it's sandy and hot habitats. Northern varieties known to hibernate.
- When threatened, coils up and rubs it's scales together producing a loud noise.
- Extremely aggressive and very quick to bite. Very fast strikers and jumpy.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Parham Beyhaghi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Parham Beyhaghi
- (c) Vinay Gogula, all rights reserved, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
- (c) Vinay Gogula, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Found | Common |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Venomous |
