About Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801)
Scientific Name and Total Length
Echis carinatus (Schneider, 1801) measures between 38 and 80 cm (15 and 31 in) in total body length including the tail, and most individuals do not exceed 60 cm (24 in) in total length.
Head and Snout Morphology
Its head is clearly distinct from its neck, with a very short, rounded snout. The nostril is positioned between three scales, called shields.
Head Scale Characteristics
The head is covered in small keeled scales, and an enlarged supraocular scale is sometimes present among these. There are 9 to 14 interocular scales across the top of the head, and 14 to 21 circumorbital scales.
Ocular and Labial Scales
The eye is separated from the supralabials by 1 to 3 rows of scales. There are 10 to 12 supralabials, the fourth of which is usually the largest, and 10 to 13 sublabials.
Continental Endemism
This species is endemic to Asia.
Distribution on Indian Subcontinent
On the Indian subcontinent, it occurs in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, including Urak near Quetta and Astola Island off the coast of Makran.
Distribution in Middle East
In the Middle East, it is found in Oman, Masirah Island, eastern United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and southwestern Iran; additional confirmed records of this species in Iraq come from the Thiqar and Kirkuk governorates.
Distribution in Central Asia
In Central Asia, it is present in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
Type Locality Information
The original 1801 description by Schneider did not include a type locality, but Russell (1796:3) listed "Arni", India as a locality.
Habitat and Substrate Types
Echis carinatus occurs on a range of different substrates, including sand, rock, and soft soil, and is found in scrubland habitats. It often hides under loose rocks.
Altitudinal Range
In Balochistan, specimens have been recorded at altitudes up to 1982 m.
Reproductive Mode
The Indian population of Echis carinatus is ovoviviparous.
Mating and Birthing Period
In northern India, mating occurs in winter, and live young are born between April and August, though occasional births have been recorded in other months.
Litter Size and Neonatal Length
Litters usually contain 3 to 15 young, each measuring 115–152 mm in length. Mallow et al. (2003) report that the maximum recorded litter size is 23.
