This little desert hunter may not look especially imposing, but its bite can be deadly, and in India it is one of the “Big Four” snakes thought to be jointly responsible for around 58,000 mortalities per year.
Those that encounter the saw-scaled viper would do well to heed the rasping warning sound it emits before striking.
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How big is the saw-scaled viper
It usually measures under 60cm, though some individuals have been known to reach about 80cm. It usually weighs under under 200g
What does the saw-scaled viper look like?
Small and camouflaged, the saw-scaled viper is easy to overlook. It has a short, rounded snout and a broad head that stands out clearly from the neck and often bears a pale cross- or trident-like mark. Typical of many vipers, its relatively large eyes feature vertical pupils, an adaptation for effective night vision. Its colouring helps it blend well with dry, rocky and sandy environments: shades of buff, grey, red or pale brown are overlaid with blotches and wavy markings
Why is it called the saw-scaled viper?
Like other members of the wider Echis genus (collectively referred to as saw-scaled vipers), the saw-scaled viper is defined by the rows of serrated “saw scales” that run along its flanks at a steep angle. When threatened, it draws its body into tight coils and rubs these against one other, producing a dry rasping hiss, sometimes likened to water sizzling in a hot pan.
Where does it live?
Echis carinatus is found across parts of the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In the Middle East, its range includes Oman, the UAE and Iran; in Central Asia, it includes Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan; and in the Indian subcontinent, it includes India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is common in sandy deserts, dry plains and on rocky slopes, where it escapes the intense daytime heat by hiding within crevices and burrows, or burying itself up to its eyes in sand.
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How does it move?
The saw-scaled viper is especially associated with sidewinding, a form of movement in which the body is lifted in loops and touches the ground at only a few points at a time. This is an efficient way to travel over loose, hot sand.
But its behaviour when disturbed is equally striking. The snake often forms tight S-shaped coils or a figure-of-eight posture, with the head poised in the middle ready to strike. That coiled stance, together with the scale-rubbing hiss, is a clear warning. If the threat comes closer, it can lash out with startling speed.
What does it eat?
An opportunistic predator, the saw-scaled viper’s flexibility helps it to survive in harsh environments where prey availability can be patchy and seasonal. Its broad diet encompasses birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Hunting mostly occurs in the cooler twilight hours, when the snake will rely on its cryptic patterning to disappear into the dusty ground. Once unsuspecting prey is within range, the snake will inject its venom, quickly subduing its victim.
How dangerous is its venom?
Very dangerous. The venom can cause severe local pain and swelling, but the most serious effects are systemic. It disrupts the blood-clotting system, causing haemorrhage and kidney failure in severe cases. Without prompt treatment, including antivenom, bites can be fatal, with an estimated mortality rate of around 20 per cent.
However, the saw-scaled viper is regarded as one of the world’s deadliest snakes not simply because its venom is potent, but because it bites so many people.
.It often lives close to people in densely populated regions, is well camouflaged, and reacts aggressively when disturbed. Estimates vary over how many deaths can be attributed specifically to the saw-scaled viper, but it is widely regarded as one of the world’s deadliest snakes in terms of human fatalities.
How does it breed?
Echis carinatus is ovoviviparous, meaning eggs hatch within the mother’s body before being born as live young. Litters can contain up to 23 young. The newborns are tiny but independent from the outset and already possess functional venom.
Does it face any threats?
The saw-scaled viper is listed as being of Least Concern by the IUCN and is not usually presented as a species in conservation crisis. Its real significance is as a major cause of snakebites in the regions where it occurs. That said, changing land use and climate may alter where people and snakes come into contact. Recent research in India suggests that climate-driven range shifts in the “Big Four” could expose new areas to snakebite risk in future, especially where healthcare access is limited.
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Top image: Nimit Virdi / Getty Images
