Saw Scaled Viper

Echis carinatus

Echis is a genus of venomous vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka..

Appearance

Size ranges between 38 and 80 cm in length, but usually no more than 60 cm.
Head distinct from neck, snout very short and rounded.
The color-pattern consists of a pale buff, grayish, reddish, olive or pale brown ground color, overlaid middorsally with a series of variably colored, spots, edged with dark brown.

Behaviour

All members of this genus have a distinctive threat display, which involves forming a series of parallel C-shaped coils and rubbing them together to produce a sizzling sound, rather like water on a hot plate. The proper term for this is stridulation. As they become more agitated, this stridulating behaviour becomes faster and louder.
These snakes are very aggressive and will strike vigorously. When doing so, they may overbalance and end up moving towards their aggressor as a result; a most unusual behaviour for a snake.
They move about mainly by sidewinding: a method at which they are considerably proficient and alarmingly quick.
This species is mostly nocturnal. During the daytime they hide in all kinds of places, such as deep mammal burrows, rock fissures and fallen rotted logs. In sandy environments, they may bury themselves leaving only the head exposed. Often, they are most active after rains or on humid nights. This species is often found climbing in bushes and shrubs, sometimes as much as 2 m above the ground. When it rains, up to 80% of the adult population will climb into bushes and trees.
Feeds on rodents, lizards, frogs, and a variety of arthropods, such as scorpions, centipedes and large insects

Bite & Venom

Bites from Echis species probably result in more deaths than from any other species. They may be small, but they are very aggressive, quick to strike and possess an extremely virulent hemotoxic venom. Most victims are bitten after dark when these snakes are active.
Most of these species have venom that contains factors that can cause a consumption coagulopathy and defibrination which may persist for days to weeks. This may result in bleeding anywhere in the body, including the possibility of an intracranial hemorrhage.
Venom toxicity varies among the different species, geographic locations, individual specimens, sexes, over the seasons, different milkings, and of course the method of injection. The amount of venom produced also varies. Yield varies seasonally, as well as between the sexes: the most venom is produced during the summer months and males produce more than females.

Lifecycle