Fangtastic Facts
Saw-Scaled Viper
(Echis carinatus)
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is a relatively small snake, but it has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous snakes in the regions where it occurs. Known also as the carpet viper, this species gets its unusual name from the saw-like edges of its scales. When threatened, it rubs these specialised scales together to produce a distinctive rasping or hissing sound.
Description
This species ranges in colour from various shades of brown, beige, or grey, overlaid by brown or reddish-brown blotches. Its colour and markings vary with the soil it lives in, providing effective camouflage in its natural environment. Despite this variation, all vipers of this species have darker and lighter spots on their backs, and their overall markings help break up the outline of their body against sand, gravel and dry vegetation, allowing them to stay hidden.
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They are known for their pear-shaped head, which is distinct from the neck and generally shows a cross shape. This characteristic marking gave it its name, Echis, which means X in Latin. Its eyes have elliptical pupils and are positioned toward the top of its head, allowing the snake to see when it is partially buried.
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On average, saw-scaled vipers reach 1 to 3 feet in length.
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Important: Colour, markings and overall appearance can vary considerably between individual snakes. Photographs, descriptions and information on this website should not be relied upon to identify a potentially venomous snake. If you encounter a snake, keep your distance and leave identification and removal to trained professionals.
Distribution
The IUCN Red List records the saw-scaled viper as occurring in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The assessment also notes the species may occur in Iraq.
Habitat
The saw-scaled viper is highly adaptable and can live in many dry environments.
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It mainly inhabits sandy deserts, rocky deserts, dry scrub, grasslands and areas with loose sand or soil; however, it also occurs in some less expected environments, including mangroves and semi-evergreen forests.
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The snake often hides beneath rocks or other ground cover. Its ability to bury itself partly in loose sand or soil provides protection and helps it remain hidden while waiting for prey.
Diet
The saw-scaled viper is an opportunistic predator and can eat a surprisingly wide range of animals. This varied diet allows the snake to take advantage of whatever suitable prey is available in its environment. Its prey may include small mammals, lizards, birds, amphibians, scorpions, centipedes or other snakes.
Behaviour
As a nocturnal hunter, this species comes out at night in search of food. The species can also use sidewinding locomotion, a specialised way of moving across loose or sandy surfaces. This helps it travel efficiently over difficult ground while reducing the amount of its body in contact with the hot surface.
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One of its most famous behaviours is the way it responds to threats. When distressed, this snake will position its body into a series of tight loops, bringing specialised sections of its scales against one another. As the loops move, the serrated scales rub together and produce a harsh rasping or hissing sound. This is the snake's attempt to warn the threat to stay away.
Reproduction
The saw-scaled viper an ovoviviparous species, meaning its young develop within the mother’s body and are born live. This differs from other species in the genus Echis, which are generally oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
Venom
This species produces haemorrhagic venom that can cause severe bleeding, coagulation issues and multiple organ complications. Programmed cell‑death and necrotic tissue can also develop. It is listed as one of the big 4 snakes of medical importance in India, as it is one of four snakes responsible for the most bites, along with the russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), Indian cobra (Naja naja) and common krait (Bungarus caeruleus).
Predators
The main threat to this species is humans, who may kill it when they encounter it.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List classifies Echis carinatus as a species of least concern. It has a wide distribution and lives in some protected areas, which reduces its vulnerability.
Fangtastic Fact
Tirofiban, one of the strongest antiplatelet drugs on the market, was designed by modelling its structure on echistatin, an RGD‑containing disintegrin from the venom of the saw‑scaled viper. Echistatin blocks the αIIbβ3 receptor on platelets, and this venom‑derived mechanism directly inspired the development of Tirofiban as a powerful treatment used in coronary care.
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Content on this website is provided for general educational purposes and is not suitable for identifying snakes or guiding interactions with them. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is made regarding completeness or suitability for specific circumstances. Wild snakes should not be approached or handled, and professional snake catchers should be contacted if assistance is required. By using this website, users acknowledge and accept these terms.
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