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Joger's Saw-scaled Viper
Echis jogeri
A small but incredibly dangerous saw-scaled viper from arid regions, notorious for its defensive scale-rubbing stridulation and highly potent, fast-acting venom.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Viperinae
Genus:Echis
Species:Echis jogeri
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
26 - 32 °C
Ambient temperature
26 - 32 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
32 °C
Adult size
30 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 80 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. Distributed across the arid savannas, dry steppes, and semi-deserts of West Africa, specifically in Mali, Senegal, and parts of Guinea.
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. Belonging to the family Viperidae and genus Echis, it features specialized lateral scales that produce a warning sound when rubbed together.
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 terrestrial and nocturnal, it avoids the extreme daytime heat by burrowing into the sand or hiding beneath rocky crevices.
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 a light brown, grey, or tan coloration with a series of whitish dorsal blotches and a distinctive arrow-like marking on the head.
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. A secure, locked desert terrarium is mandatory. Use a dry substrate of fine sand or sand-gravel mix, providing tight rocky hides.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a strong thermal gradient with daytime temperatures of 26-32°C and a hot basking zone of 32°C. Medium-intensity UVB lighting is required. Establish a steep thermal gradient with a localized basking spot of 32-35 °C and a cool side of 24 °C, with a slight drop at night.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain low humidity (40-60%). Spray a small corner of the enclosure weekly to allow drinking; avoid damp substrate. Humidity should be kept minimal (30-40%). Provide a shallow water dish, but ensure the enclosure remains dry to prevent humidity buildup.
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 appropriately sized thawed mice every 10 to 14 days. Juveniles can be started on large crickets or pinky mice.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. House individually to prevent stress and territorial aggression. Solitary species; house individually to prevent territorial stress and accidental envenomation during feeding.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly resilient in dry climates. Excess humidity quickly leads to respiratory infections and scale rot. High humidity is highly detrimental, leading to respiratory infections and scale rot. Handle only using professional snake hooks.
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. Distributed across the arid savannas, dry steppes, and semi-deserts of West Africa, specifically in Mali, Senegal, and parts of Guinea.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaSouth and Southeast Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 30 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 30 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 30 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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