African Carpet Viper

The carpet vipers or echis are a genus of vipers of highly poisonous nature widely distributed across africa middle east and south asia.

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. This snake accounts for 69 of snake bite related death in nigeria causing over 1 450 deaths nationwide. An antivenom called echitab plus icp is manufactured by the costa rican instituto clodomiro. 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.

They have a characteristic threat display rubbing sections of their body together to produce a sizzling warning sound. Monovalent antivenom is effective and should be administered. 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. The ocellated carpet viper or echis ocellatus inhabits the countries of senegal gambia and gulf of guinea in the african continent.

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. 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. This is typically a desert species.

The west african carpet viper s venom is potently cytotoxic causing severe pain swelling blistering and in many cases severe tissue damage. The name echis is the latin transliteration of the greek word for viper ἔχις. 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. 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. 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. Although not a large snake 300 500mm its venom is extremely toxic and it is. This carpet viper stands as the most dangerous snake in nigeria.

The snakes produce an extremely potent hemotoxin that is lethal in very low doses. It is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other african species combined.