African Carpet Viper

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.

African carpet viper.

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. 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. These range from legendary species like the black mamba to little known snakes like the west african carpet viper.

An antivenom called echitab plus icp is manufactured by the costa rican instituto clodomiro. 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. The west african carpet viper s venom is potently cytotoxic causing severe pain swelling blistering and in many cases severe tissue damage.

In africa these snakes are found in a wide variety of habitats across the continent. It is important to remember that although all snakes must be treated with respect the majority are not venomous. Africa is home to many different snake species some of which are amongst the world s most dangerous. A sidewinder it lifts its upper body braces its head and pulls the remaining coils along without touching the ground at an angle.

West african carpet viper echis ocellatus. This is typically a desert species. 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. Burton s carpet viper is the name given to echis coloratus or painted saw scaled viper of eastern egypt palestine syria and israel.

Although not a large snake 300 500mm its venom is extremely toxic and it is. The snakes produce an extremely potent hemotoxin that is lethal in very low doses. 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. The name echis is the latin transliteration of the greek word for viper ἔχις.

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. 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.