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Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

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Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) of Pakistan



Saw-Scaled Vipers


Saw-scaled viper, (genus Echis), any of eight species of small venomous snakes (family Viperidae) that inhabit arid regions and dry savannas north of the Equator across Africa, Arabia, and southwestern Asia to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.


They are characterized by a stout body with a pear-shaped head that is distinct from the neck, vertically elliptical pupils, rough and strongly keeled scales, and a short thin tail. On both sides of the body are several rows of obliquely arranged serrated scales. Adults range in length from 0.3 to 0.9 metre (1 to 3 feet). Echis colouration includes various shades of brown, grey, or orange with darker dorsal blotches and lateral spots. _ Britanica Encyclopedia


Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)


Echis carinatus is a venomous viper species found in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest member of the big four snakes that are responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths, due to various factors including their frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and their inconspicuous nature.


Its characteristic pose, a double coil with a figure of eight, with the head poised in the center, permits it to lash out like a released spring.


Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) of Pakistan
Image: Wikipedia


Saw-scaled vipers move by sidewinding locomotion sidewinders (see above video). They are nocturnal, coming out at twilight to hunt for food, which includes mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, amphibians, and invertebrates such as scorpions and centipedes.


Egg-laying species, producing up to 23 eggs per female.

Naeem Javid Muhammad Hassani is working as Conservator of Forests in Balochistan Forest & Wildlife Department (BFWD). He is the CEO of Tech Urdu (techurdu.net) Forestrypedia (forestrypedia.com), All Pak Notifications (allpaknotifications.com), Essayspedia, etc & their YouTube Channels). He is an Environmentalist, Blogger, YouTuber, Developer & Vlogger.

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