Echis

Echis is a genus of venomous vipers found in dry regions of Africa, Middle East, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. The name "Echis" is a Greek word which means "viper". Echis is also known as the "Saw-scaled Vipers", or the "Carpet Vipers". They are responsible for most of the snakebites and deaths in the world. There is currently eight species found.

Echis
An Indian Saw-scaled Viper, E. carinatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Echis

Description

The Saw-scaled Vipers are a small group of snakes, with adults growing up to the length of 90 cm (36 in). Its head is short, wide and pear-shaped, its snout is short and round, and it has large eyes.

Where it lives

The Saw-scaled Viper is found in dry regions (like deserts) in Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.

Diet

Not much is known about what the Saw-scaled Vipers eat, but some say they eats beetles, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, other snakes, small mammals and birds.

Reproduction

Most species of the Saw-scaled Viper, like the ones found in Africa, are oviparous meaning they lay eggs, while other species, like the ones found in India, are viviparous meaning they give live birth.

Species

• Indian Saw-scaled Viper, E. carinatus
• Palestine Saw-scaled Viper, E. coloratus
• Hughes' Saw-scaled Viper, E. hughesi
• Jogers' Saw-scaled Viper, E. jogeri
• White-bellied Carpet Viper, E. leucogaster
• Cherlin's Saw-scaled Viper, E. megalocephalus
• African Saw-scaled Viper, E. ocellatus
• Egyptian Saw-scaled Viper, E. pyramidum