West African Carpet Viper

It is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other african species combined.

West african carpet viper.

West african carpet viper echis ocellatus. 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. 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. This snake accounts for 69 of snake bite related death in nigeria causing over 1 450 deaths nationwide.

West african carpet viper echis ocellatus syn. Echis ocellatus known by the common names west african carpet viper and ocellated carpet viper is a venomous species of viper endemic to west africa no subspecies are currently recognized. Monovalent antivenom is effective and should be administered. Although not a large snake 300 500mm its venom is extremely toxic and it is.

The west african carpet viper is a small snake with an average total length of approximately 20 inches 1 5 feet. Burton s carpet viper is the name given to echis coloratus or painted saw scaled viper of eastern egypt palestine syria and israel. Like the boomslang their venom is haemotoxic causing. Carinatus stemmler papenfuß westafrikanische augenfleck sandrasselotter f.

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 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. The name echis is the latin transliteration of the greek word for viper ἔχις. A sidewinder it lifts its upper body braces its head and pulls the remaining coils along without touching the ground at an angle.

Click here to view download in pdf format. 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 carpet viper stands as the most dangerous snake in nigeria.

They have a characteristic threat display rubbing sections of their body together to produce a sizzling warning sound. 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. These spots are designed to confuse potential predators. An antivenom called echitab plus icp is manufactured by the costa rican instituto clodomiro picado and.

This is typically a desert species.