Carpet Viper Snake

Map indicating the distribution of the west african carpet viper echis ocellatus in africa.

Carpet viper snake.

This is a savanna species. They have a characteristic threat display rubbing sections of their body together to produce a sizzling warning sound. Saw scaled vipers carpet vipers is a genus of venomous vipers found in the dry regions of africa the middle east india sri lanka and pakistan. Snakes with the hollow venom conducting fangs present in their upper jaw are called vipers.

This species along with the closely related echis ocellatus both of the carpet viper species cause the most cases of. With such a unique name saw scaled vipers are considered to be one of the most dangerous venomous snakes on earth. Echis pyramidum is a species of venomous viper endemic to northeast africa and the arabian peninsula three subspecies are currently recognized including the nominate subspecies described here. Its bite causes more than 20 000 deaths of agricultural workers per year.

The name echis is the latin transliteration of the greek word for viper ἔχις. The carpet viper sometimes referred to as a saw scaled viper is a poisonous snake found primarily in africa and india this reptile is known for being able to strike quickly and without warning. One hundred and fifteen patients with poisoning caused by its bite were studied in the savanna region of nigeria where victims of this snake may occupy 10 per cent of hospital beds. We can find this 2 feet snake in western africa.

Actually its venom reacts slowly but it causes big damages. It is very common in its range and accounts for many snakebites and fatalities a year. The saw scaled or carpet viper echis carinatus whose range extends from senegal to bengal probably bites and kills more people than any other species of snake. Ocellated carpet viper echis ocellatus is the deadliest snake in the savannah.

It is typically very venomous so a bite can often be fatal. Snake awareness and handling gauteng 26 september 2020.