Echis carinatus (Saw Scaled Viper )

Echis carinatus

Distinguishing Features

i. They are poisonous snakes.
ii. The body is slender and slightly flattened dorso-ventrally.
iii. The head is short, triangular in shape and distinctly wider than the neck.
iv. Great variations in colour, size, number of spots and number of ventral scales are seen in this specie such as specimens collected from Northern Balochistan and N.W.F.P. have higher ventral scales and more median spots, which are lighter in colour, the specimens collected from the sandy areas of Sanghar have pale dorsal colour. Similarly, the specie inhabiting the coastal areas of Sindh are larger in size with dark dorsal ground colour and has a distinct white vertebral stripe on the anterior part of their body.
v. A light trident like mark is present on top of the head.
vi. The snout is blunt.
vii. The number of scales on the upper labial varies from 9 - 12.
viii. The number of scales on the lower labial varies from 10 - 13.
ix. A pale stripe is present near the angle of the mouth.
x. The dorsal surface is covered with keeled scales.
xi. The dorsal surface is light buff to tan, olive brown or chestnut in colour.
xii. A median row of 28 - 36 whitish spots with dark edges is present on the dorsal surface of the body.
xiii. A narrow, undulating white line is present on both sides of the body.
xiv. The belly is white to pale pink in colour and has scattered dark brown spots.
xv. The chin and throat are pure white in colour.
xvi. The tail is short and tapering at the vent.

Size

Its length varies from 344 - 810 mm.

Habit and Habitat

These snakes inhabit the rocky, sandy and alluvial soils with sparse xerophytic vegetation. A variety of xerophytic plants such as euphorbia, tamarix and acacia act as their resting places. They are nocturnal in habit but can be seen in daytime in winter. In the mountainous areas of Pakistan, this specie has been found to survive at the height of nearly 6000-ft.

They are very active and aggressive in nature. Whenever they come in contact with a predator they use different techniques for survival. Either they attack the enemy, escape by retreating fast or coil themselves into a ball and rub their scales against each other, which in turn produces a sizzling sound.

Food

They live on variety of food such as frogs, toads, rodents, lizards and insects.

Distribution

This specie is found in India, Iran, and Afghanistan. In Pakistan the Saw Scaled Viper is widely distributed and found in all provinces, except the higher mountainous region of Himalayan (above 6000ft) .

Breeding

Economic Importance

The venom is used in the preparation of anti-venom. These snakes keep the locust and rodent population in control.

Status

Common