Saw-scaled Viper

Echis carinatus, known as the Sindh saw-scaled viper, saw-scaled viper, Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper, and by other common names, is a 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" Indian 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. Like all vipers, the species is venomous. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Description

The size of E. carinatus ranges between 38 and 80 cm (15 and 31 in) in total length (body + tail), but usually no more than 60 cm (24 in).

Its head is distinct from its neck; its snout is very short and rounded. The nostril is between three shields, and the head is covered with small keeled scales, among which an enlarged supraocular is sometimes present. There are 9–14 interocular scales across the top of the head and 14–21 circumorbital scales. 1–3 rows of scales separate the eye from the supralabials. There are 10–12 supralabials, the fourth usually largest, and 10–13 sublabials.

Scalation

Midbody there are 25–39 rows of dorsal scales that are keeled scales with apical pits; on the flanks, these have serrated keels. There are 143–189 ventral scales that are rounded and cover the full width of the belly. The subcaudals are undivided and number 21–52, and the anal scale is single.

The color-pattern consists of a pale buff, grayish, reddish, olive or pale brown ground color, overlaid mid-dorsally with a series of variably colored, but mostly whitish spots, edged with dark brown, and separated by lighter inter-blotch patches. A series of white bows run dorsolaterally. The top of the head has a whitish cruciform or trident pattern and there is a faint stripe running from the eye to the angle of the jaw. The belly is whitish to pinkish, uniform in color or with brown dots that are either faint or distinct.

Common names

English - saw-scaled viper, Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper.

Tamil - surattai pambu. viriyan pamboo, surutai vireyan ( சுருட்டை விரியன் )

Sinhala - vali polonga (වැලි පොලඟා).

Odia - Dhuli Naga.

Pushtu - phissi.

Telugu - Chinna pinjara, pinjara

Sindhi - kuppur, janndi.

Marathi - phoorsa ([फुरसं]).

Kannada - kallu haavu.

Malayalam - anali അണലി

Gujarati - tarachha, zeri padkoo (ઝેરી પૈડકુ) udaneyn.

Hindi - aphai (अफई)

Russian - peschanaya efa (песчаная эфа)

Iraqi Arabic - ḥayyat sayyid dakhīl (حية سيد دخيل)

Persian - mār-e ja'fari (مار جعفری)

Bengali - fursa boda sap (ফুরসা বোড়া সাপ), also কাঁটা-আঁইশা বোড়া, খুঁদে চন্দ্রবোড়া, বোড়া সাপ, বঙ্করাজ।