Echis
carinatus is
a venomous species of snakes under family Viperidae which is commonly known Indian saw-scaled viper. This snake
species is found in the Middle East, Central Asia and
especially within the Indian subcontinent. Echis carinatus
is one of the member of big four snakes, and is the smallest of all that
are accountable for causing the maximum number of snakebite deaths because
of their frequent occurrences in highly populated as well as rural areas and
their inconspicuous nature. The venom type of the species is haemotoxic.
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Echis carinatus, Maharashtra, India (Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org) |
There
are five subspecies of current genus which are currently documented
viz., E. c. astolae (Mertens, 1970); E. c. carinatus (Schneider, 1801);
E. c. multisquamatus
(Cherlin, 1981); E. c. sinhaleyus
(Deraniyagala, 1951); E. c.
sochureki (Stemmler, 1969).
Scientific
classification
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Kingdom:
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Animalia
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Phylum:
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Chordata
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Class:
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Reptilia
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Order:
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Squamata
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Suborder:
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Serpentes
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Family:
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Viperidae
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Genus:
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Species:
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E. carinatus
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Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801)
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Saw Scaled Viper can be easily identified by careful
observation on parched body covered with very rough keeled scales having light
colored round spots over the dorsal surface which are bordered by two lines running
from head towards the posterior side. The maximum length attained by the
adult species is 80 cm but it can vary depending on the geographical region,
where as the average length of the species is documented about 30 cm. The juveniles
of the species range b/w 6-8 cm. The head of this species is triangular having
small keeled scales and is broader than neck. There is an arrow shaped of white
spot is present on top of head. Eyes are large having vertical pupil.
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Echis carinatus, Bannerghatta, India (Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org) |
Dorsally
the body of the species is short and robust covered under highly keeled scales.
The color may vary between gray, light red and reddish-brown to light or dark
brown. On the ventral side the belly color is white having brown or blackish
spots on all the ventral scales. Sub caudal scales are undivided. Tail is short
having pointed tip covered by keeled scales.
Scalation
of the species is as: 10-12 upper labials (4th largest); 10-15 small
sized scales around the eyes; 3-4 scales b/w nasal & eyes; 8-12 scales b/w
supraoculars. Dorsal scales in rows 25-29/27-37/21-27; diagonally arranged
scales in 4-7 rows (responsible for saw like sound). Ventral scales are 143-189
whereas subcaudals 21-52 (undivided). The anal scale is single.
The
species is recorded
as endemic to Asia and distribution is as; India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, in Oman, Masirah (Island), eastern United
Arab Emirates, Iraq, southwestern Iran,
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tadzhikistan. In Indian mainland it is
distributed throughout the country viz., western parts of west Bengal, Gujarat,
Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Daman & Diu, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,
Telangana, Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand.
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Echis carinatus, Maharashtra, India (Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org) |
It is found in moderate elevation and
plains. The species has a habitat distribution
ranging from deserts to semi-deserts, rainforest to scrub forest, mixed to dry
forest & moist deciduous forest, from grassland to dry open lands,
agricultural field to open plains, caves to rocky terrain, it can been found
hiding inside holes, mounds, caves, piles ,cracks, leaf litters, rocks, scrubs,
grass etc.
This species is of nocturnal nature which means it remains
active at nights for foraging and other crucial life activities though can be
found during day time basking. Locomotion is usually slow and employs side
winding motion to crawl.
It is one of the fastest striking snake species which take
less than a second to bite and come back to its original site. While on
provocation it coils its body & keeps the head on front side. Mating occurs
in winters where new born can be seen by April through August. Reproduction is ovoviviparous,
which means females of the species gives birth to 3-15 young individuals directly.
The maximum size of litter was recorded is 23 (Mallow et al., 2003).
The
snake feeds on variety of organisms such as; rodents, lizards, frogs,
arthropods like scorpion, centipedes etc., and other large insects.
The main threat of the species is
habitat loss despite the fact that they are quite well adapted themselves to
live in the overlooked lands and rocky topography. Besides killing because of
its venom strength and road kill are the other chief causes.
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