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Burton’s Saw-scaled Viper
Echis coloratus
Known as the painted saw-scaled viper, this venomous desert snake utilizes defensive scale-rubbing sounds and features an extremely potent hemotoxic bite.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Viperinae
Genus:Echis
Species:Echis coloratus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
35 - 55 %
Day temperature
26 - 32 °C
Ambient temperature
26 - 32 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
33 °C
Adult size
90 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 120 L
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species inhabits arid, desert, and semi-desert regions of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, preferring sandy or rocky terrains with sparse shrubbery. Native to the Middle East and Egypt, this viper inhabits rocky hillsides, steep gravel slopes, and arid wadis up to high elevations.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The genus Echis comprises the saw-scaled vipers or carpet vipers, famous for their high abundance and the medical significance of their venom. A member of the Viperidae family, Echis coloratus is morphologically adapted to rocky terrain and is highly skilled at climbing rocky ledges.
Behavior and Habits: Terrestrial and nocturnal. When threatened, it coils into a series of C-shaped loops and rubs its keeled lateral scales together, producing a dry, sizzling warning sound (stridulation). Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, it spends the hot daytime hours wedged in tight rock fissures or shaded crevices to conserve moisture.
Morphology: Relatively small but stout body, featuring a distinctive arrow- or cross-shaped mark on the head. Colors include brown, gray, or reddish tones. Minimal sexual dimorphism. Displays highly variable coloration ranging from greyish-blue to pinkish-orange, providing perfect camouflage among granite rocks.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Secure horizontal enclosure with dry sand or clay substrate. Arrange flat rocks and cork bark to create tight, secure hides. Setup a desert terrarium with secure rock formations that offer vertical hiding places. Use a mix of dry sand and gravel as substrate.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a strong thermal gradient with daytime temperatures of 26-32°C and a hot basking zone of 33°C. Medium-intensity UVB lighting is required. Maintain a thermal gradient with a basking area reaching 32-35 °C and a cooler zone around 25 °C using dimming thermostats.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain low humidity (35-55%). Spray a small corner of the enclosure weekly to allow drinking; avoid damp substrate. Keep relative humidity very low (25-40%). Provide a heavy water bowl that cannot be spilled, ensuring the air remains dry.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feed appropriately sized thawed mice. Juveniles may also consume large insects. Dust prey with calcium and vitamin supplements twice a month. Feed frozen-thawed mice appropriate for the snake's size every 10 to 14 days, monitoring body condition to prevent obesity.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. House individually to prevent stress and territorial aggression. Strictly solitary. Enclosures must be locked at all times. This species has highly toxic venom that causes severe localized swelling.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly resilient in dry climates. Excess humidity quickly leads to respiratory infections and scale rot. High humidity is a critical hazard causing skin lesions. Professional handling equipment and safety protocols are mandatory.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species inhabits arid, desert, and semi-desert regions of Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, preferring sandy or rocky terrains with sparse shrubbery. Native to the Middle East and Egypt, this viper inhabits rocky hillsides, steep gravel slopes, and arid wadis up to high elevations.
Origin
Africa and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaSouth and Southeast Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 90 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 90 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 90 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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