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Cherlin's Saw-scaled Viper
Echis megalocephalus
Recognized by its proportionally large head, this saw-scaled viper from arid zones relies on loud scale rubbing and profoundly dangerous venom to survive the desert.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Viperinae
Genus:Echis
Species:Echis megalocephalus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
45 - 65 %
Day temperature
26 - 32 °C
Ambient temperature
26 - 32 °C
Night temperature
20 - 23 °C
Basking spot
34 °C
Adult size
56 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. Endemic to Dahlak Kebir Island in the Red Sea (Eritrea), this species is restricted to sandy and rocky coastal environments.
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, it is characterized by its proportionally large head relative to its short, stout body.
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, it preys upon small island vertebrates, including geckos and small rodents, along dry coastal scrublands.
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 greyish-brown color pattern with dark lateral blotches that resemble the weathered coral limestone of its native island.
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 dry terrarium with fine sand substrate and stable limestone rocks to replicate the coastal island terrain of Dahlak.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a strong thermal gradient with daytime temperatures of 26-32°C and a hot basking zone of 34°C. Medium-intensity UVB lighting is required. Maintain a thermal gradient with a basking spot at 32-35 °C and a cool area at 24 °C, with a slight drop in temperature at night.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain low humidity (45-65%). Spray a small corner of the enclosure weekly to allow drinking; avoid damp substrate. Keep humidity levels low (30-50%), though it tolerates minor nightly coastal humidity rises better than inland desert species.
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 frozen-thawed mice every 10 to 14 days, paying attention to its feeding response during seasonal shifts.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. House individually to prevent stress and territorial aggression. Strictly solitary housing. Enclosures must be locked at all times. This is a highly dangerous venomous snake requiring expert care.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly resilient in dry climates. Excess humidity quickly leads to respiratory infections and scale rot. Provide adequate ventilation to prevent stale, damp air. Monitor the snake during shedding to ensure no spectacles remain on the eyes.
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. Endemic to Dahlak Kebir Island in the Red Sea (Eritrea), this species is restricted to sandy and rocky coastal environments.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaSouth and Southeast Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 56 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 56 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 56 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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