Құмды қабықты жылан – таралу аймақтары мен ерекшеліктері

Species of snake

Echis carinatus, known as the saw scaled viper, Indian saw scaled viper, little Indian viper, and by other common names, is a viper species found in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest member of the "big four" Indian snakes that are responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths, due to various factors including their frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and their inconspicuous nature. Like all vipers, the species is venomous. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

The size of E. carinatus ranges between in total length (body + tail), but usually no more than .

Echis carinatus is endemic to Asia. On the Indian subcontinent it is found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan (including Urak near Quetta and Astola Island off the coast of Makran). In the Middle East it is found in Oman, Masirah (Island), eastern United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and southwestern Iran. In Central Asia it is found in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. The type locality was not included in the original description by Schneider (1801). However, a locality had been given as "Arni" (India) by Russell (1796:3). It is found in Thiqar and Kirkuk governorates.

Echis carinatus is found on a range of different substrates, including sand, rock, soft soil and in scrublands. It is often found hiding under loose rocks. Specimens have also been found in Balochistan at altitudes of up to 1982 m. This species is often found climbing in bushes and shrubs, sometimes as much as 2 m above the ground. When it rains, up to 80% of the adult population will climb into bushes and trees. Once, it was observed that approximately 20 individuals had massed on top of a single cactus or small shrub. The venom yield from individual specimens varies considerably, as does the quantity injected per bite. The mortality rate from their bites is about 20%, and due to the availability of the anti venom, deaths are currently quite rare. but also as a product of chemical synthesis. Another drug made from E. carinatus venom is called ecarin and is the primary reagent in the ecarin clotting time (ECT) test, which is used to monitor anticoagulation during treatment with hirudin. Yet another drug produced from E. carinatus venom is Aggrastat (Tirofiban). As of November 2016, antivenom is currently being developed by the Costa Rican Clodomiro Picado Institute, and clinical trial phase in Sri Lanka.

SubspeciesPeninsular India. E. c. multisquamatusCherlin, 1981Multiscale saw scaled viperFrom Uzbekistan to Iran in the south and east to western Pakistan. E. c. sinhaleyusDeraniyagala, 1951Sri Lankan saw scaled viperSri Lanka. E. c. sochurekiStemmler, 1969Sochurek's saw scaled viperSouthern Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, southern and central Iran, Oman and UAE.