Field guide
Saw-scaled viper
වැලි පොළඟා · weli polanga
Echis carinatus
Highly venomous
A bite from this species is a medical emergency.
Small but highly venomous; makes a rasping sound by rubbing its scales.
How to identify
1Small, stocky body with keeled scales that saw together audibly
2Whitish wavy line along each side
3Arrow / cross mark on top of the head
If bitten
MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Keep the victim calm and still, immobilise the bitten limb. Remove rings and tight items. Do NOT cut, suck, apply a tourniquet or ice. Transport to a hospital with antivenom at once — venom causes serious bleeding.
Up to 0.6 m
Length
Nocturnal
Active
Insects
Diet
Where it's found
Dry zoneCoastal
Sandy and arid dry-zone areas, coastal scrub and dunes.