Carpet viper
| Echis | |
|---|---|
_Photographed_By_Shantanu_Kuveskar.jpg) |
|
| Echis carinatus in Mangaon, (Maharashtra, India) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: |
Echis Merrem, 1820 |
| Synonyms | |
Echis (сommon names: saw-scaled vipers, carpet vipers) is a genus of venomous vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. They have a characteristic threat display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce a "sizzling" warning sound. The name Echis is the Latin transliteration of the Greek word for "viper" (ἔχις). Their common name is "saw-scaled vipers" and they include some of the species responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths in the world. Eight species are currently recognized.
Saw-scaled vipers are relatively small snakes, the largest species (E. leucogaster, E. pyramidum) staying slightly below 90 cm (35 in) in total length (body + tail), and the smallest (E. hughesi, E. jogeri) being around 30 cm (12 in) in total length.
The head is relatively small and is short, wide, pear-shaped and distinct from the neck. The snout is short and rounded, while the eyes are relatively large and the body is moderately slender and cylindrical. The dorsal scales are mostly keeled. However, the scales on the lower flanks stick out at a distinct 45° angle and have a central ridge, or keel, that is serrated (hence the common name). The tail is short and the subcaudals are single.
A saw scaled viper of the genus Echis may be responsible for biblical claims of a fiery flying serpent.
Species of this genus are found in Pakistan, India (in rocky regions of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab) and Sri Lanka, parts of the Middle East, and Africa north of the equator.
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