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West African saw-scaled viper
Echis ocellatus
Easily recognized by striking white ocellated spots on its flanks, this highly aggressive viper is responsible for the absolute highest number of snakebite deaths in West Africa.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Viperinae
Genus:Echis
Species:Echis ocellatus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
45 - 65 %
Day temperature
24 - 29 °C
Ambient temperature
24 - 29 °C
Night temperature
19 - 21 °C
Basking spot
35 - 36 °C
Adult size
67 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 120 L
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Echis ocellatus is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan West Africa, including nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. Its preferred habitat consists of Guinea and Sudan savannas, characterized by open grasslands, dry woodlands, deciduous forests, and rocky outcrops. It frequently colonizes agricultural areas and crop plantations, where the abundance of rodents and dry shelters attracts this highly adaptable predator.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Viperidae, subfamily Viperinae, and the genus Echis. Formally described in 1970 by the German herpetologist Stemmler, it was classified as a separate species from Echis carinatus based on clear genetic and morphological distinctions. Immunological and genomic research confirms that its venom contains unique proteins that are not neutralized by standard antivenoms designed for Asian vipers.
Behavior and Habits: Exhibits nocturnal habits, spending the hot daylight hours hidden beneath fallen logs, rocks, or within dry leaf litter. When threatened, it displays the typical warning behavior of stridulation by rubbing its serrated lateral scales together, creating a continuous sizzling warning sound. It is an extremely defensive snake, prone to striking repeatedly and rapidly if cornered.
Morphology: This is a medium-sized viper for its genus, with adult specimens typically measuring between 30 and 50 centimeters in total length. The body is moderately stout and covered with strongly keeled scales. The head is triangular and distinct from the neck. Coloration is brown or reddish-brown, with a series of characteristic whitish spots along the sides of the body, bordered by dark rings, resembling eyespots (ocelli).
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a dry savanna or desert terrarium measuring at least 80x40x40 cm, secured with high-security locks. The substrate should be a dry mix of sand and clay-rich soil to a depth of 5 cm. Heavy, stable hiding places such as commercial plastic caves or hollow cork bark tubes must be provided in both the warm and cool zones to facilitate proper thermoregulation.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a daytime temperature range of 24-26°C (75-79°F) at the cool end and 31-33°C (88-91°F) at the warm end, with a focused basking spot of 35-36°C (95-97°F) created by a guarded spot lamp. At night, turn off all heating to allow temperatures to drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F). A 5.0 UVB bulb is recommended to support general health and metabolism.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity at a low level, between 35% and 45%. A humid ambient environment will lead to severe skin and respiratory infections. A shallow, heavy water bowl must always be available in the cool zone and checked daily for leaks. During shedding cycles, a plastic box filled with damp sphagnum moss should be offered.
Feeding and Supplementation: In captivity, they feed on small mice. Prey must be fully thawed and offered only using long feeding tongs to ensure safety. Adults should be fed once every 10 to 12 days. Preys should be dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 powder once a month. Feed the snake on a clean surface to prevent ingestion of loose substrate, which can cause impaction.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Never house multiple specimens together, as this will lead to extreme territorial stress, fighting, and risk of cannibalism. Since this species possesses a highly destructive, hemotoxic venom that is lethal to humans, it must never be handled directly. Always use professional snake hooks and transfer boxes.
Health and Common Diseases: Common health issues include respiratory infections from high humidity, scale rot from wet substrate, and external parasites such as mites. The venom is hemotoxic, causing severe systemic bleeding. Strict hygiene must be maintained by removing waste weekly and disinfecting the enclosure monthly with reptile-safe products.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Echis ocellatus is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan West Africa, including nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. Its preferred habitat consists of Guinea and Sudan savannas, characterized by open grasslands, dry woodlands, deciduous forests, and rocky outcrops. It frequently colonizes agricultural areas and crop plantations, where the abundance of rodents and dry shelters attracts this highly adaptable predator.
Origin
Africa and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 67 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 67 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 67 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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