Painted Saw-Scaled Viper
Echis coloratus
A brightly patterned desert viper of the Arabian Peninsula known for its distinctive warning display and rasping sound.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 40-60 cm (16-24 in)
- Range
- Arabian Peninsula, Sinai, and parts of northeastern Africa
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Overview
The Painted Saw-Scaled Viper inhabits rocky and sandy deserts across the Arabian Peninsula, the Sinai Peninsula, and parts of northeastern Africa. Its name reflects its comparatively vivid and well-defined pattern relative to other Echis species.
Like its relatives, it produces a rasping warning sound and is considered medically significant due to its potent venom.
How to identify it
- Medium-sized viper with reddish-brown to sandy background color
- Bold, well-defined pale blotches along the spine bordered by darker markings
- Serrated keeled lateral scales for producing a rasping sound
- Triangular head, vertical pupils
- Distinguished from other Echis species by its more vivid, contrasting coloration and Arabian range
Habitat & range
Rocky deserts, wadis, and sandy plains across the Arabian Peninsula, the Sinai Peninsula, and parts of northeastern Africa, often near rocky outcrops.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal, sheltering under rocks or in burrows during the day. Highly defensive, forming C-shaped coils and rasping scales when threatened. Feeds on rodents, lizards, and arthropods. Unlike most saw-scaled vipers, it is oviparous, laying eggs rather than giving live birth.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Painted Saw-Scaled Viper?
Its pattern is comparatively bold and well-defined compared to other Echis species.
Is it dangerous?
Yes, it is a medically significant venomous snake in its range.
Where does it live?
Rocky and sandy deserts across the Arabian Peninsula, Sinai, and parts of northeastern Africa.
How does it defend itself?
It coils and rubs its serrated scales together to produce a loud rasping warning sound.
Painted Saw-Scaled Viper guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Painted Saw-Scaled Viper.
