Saw-scaled Viper

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Echis carinatus carinatus, the small subspecies which is widespread in India and lives in relatively moist regions. This specimen was about 1 ft long.
In this photo, you can see the prominent keels (ridges) on each scale. When the snake is coiled and rubs the body coils against each other in opposing directions, these keels brush against each other to produce a friction sound similar to hissing.

North Goa | August 2019

Canon 760D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
SS 1/100
Av 6.3
ISO 400

Thanks, C&C welcome.

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Nice camouflage. As always alert pose. Vertical pupils. Nice take.
Saw scaled viper delivers small quantum of potent venom even by scratching only which causes serious tissue loss.
Thanks for sharing. SaktiWild

[Mrudul Godbole]

Agree with Saktida, it so nicely camouflaged in the vegetation. How did you spot it? Nicely captured. Thanks for sharing.

P.S- Not sure, how I missed this post earlier :confused1:.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Difficult to spot in the field. And somehow missed here as well. :( One can easily place his/her foot on it if a bit absent minded. These snakes remind us that we should also be looking at the ground while trekking.