Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) is a rough scaled snake with large eyes, wider head than neck and stocky body. The scales are heavily keeled. The body is brown, grayish or sandy with a darker zigzag pattern on the back. Its head has two dark stripes that start behind the eye and extend to the rear. The bottom is white with brown speckles. The tail is short and stubby. The snake is 45 to 60 cm in length.
This bad-tempered snake will attack any intruder. Its venom is highly hemotoxic and quite powerful. The snake is irritable and aggressive and usually hides under stones.
It is commonly found throughout India, mostly on the plains. Ratnagiri District in Maharashtra, parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are areas where saw-scaled viper is spotted regularly.
