West African Carpet Viper

The name echis is the latin transliteration of the greek word for viper ἔχις.

West african carpet viper. Click here to view download in pdf format. 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. West african carpet viper echis ocellatus syn. The west african carpet viper is the most dangerous snake in africa responsible for more serious snakebites and deaths than any other species and it is a strong candidate for the title of most dangerous snake in the world.

Africa middle east and south asia the saw scaled or carpet vipers of the genus echis pictured is echis ocellatus a west african carpet viper from nigeria are a major cause of snakebite envenoming in the savannas of sub saharan africa north of the equatorial rainforest belt in the arabian peninsula and extending through iran to pakistan india and sri lanka. These spots are designed to confuse potential predators. The west african carpet viper is a small snake with an average total length of approximately 20 inches 1 5 feet. The west african carpet viper also known as the ocellated carpet viper echis ocellatus is a venomous serpent endemic to the countries of west africa is responsible highest number of snakebite related fatalities in africa.

Echis ocellatus known by the common names west african carpet viper and ocellated carpet viper is a highly venomous species of viper endemic to west africa no subspecies are currently recognized. The west african carpet viper s venom is potently cytotoxic causing severe pain swelling blistering and in many cases severe tissue damage. West african carpet viper echis ocellatus syn. This is typically a desert species.

Carinatus stemmler papenfuß westafrikanische augenfleck sandrasselotter f. Carinatus westafrikanische sandrasselotter f zool. West african carpet viper primarily nocturnal the west african carpet viper echis ocellatus is 1 to 2 feet long with speckled light to dark brown dorsal scales and a light colored belly. A sidewinder it lifts its upper body braces its head and pulls the remaining coils along without touching the ground at an angle.

They are typically yellowish brown in color with distinctive eye like spots along the length of their bodies. They have a characteristic threat display rubbing sections of their body together to produce a sizzling warning sound. It is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other african species combined. The ocellated carpet viper or echis ocellatus inhabits the countries of senegal gambia and gulf of guinea in the african continent.

Monovalent antivenom is effective and should be administered. Burton s carpet viper is the name given to echis coloratus or painted saw scaled viper of eastern egypt palestine syria and israel. West african carpet viper echis ocellatus. This snake accounts for 69 of snake bite related death in nigeria causing over 1 450 deaths nationwide.

Like the boomslang their venom is haemotoxic causing.