Echis leucogaster

Last updated

Echis leucogaster
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Echis
Species:
E. leucogaster
Binomial name
Echis leucogaster
Roman, 1972
Synonyms [2]
  • Echis carinatus leucogasterRoman, 1972
  • Echis leucogaster
    Roman, 1975
  • Echis [(Toxicoa)] arenicola leucogaster Cherlin, 1990
  • Echis leucogaster
    Golay et al., 1993

Echis leucogaster, also known as the white-bellied carpet viper [3] [4] or the Roman's saw-scaled viper, [5] is a viper species endemic to West and Northwest Africa. Its scientific name derives from its white (leuco-), unmarked belly (gaster). like all other vipers, it is venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized. [6]

Contents

Description

Echis Leucogaster 20190714 201012 copy 1134x1134.jpg
Echis Leucogaster

It grows to an average total length (body + tail) of 30–70 cm (12–28 in), with a maximum total length of 87 cm (34 in). The scalation of the head is similar to E. carinatus . The body is rather stout, the cross-section of which is circular or subtriangular. The dorsal scales are rough and heavily keeled. At midbody, there are 27-33 rows of dorsal scales. The ventral scales number 165-180. [3]

Coloration and pattern are both variable. Color ranges from brown to gray to reddish and everything in between. Pattern generally consists of a series of light, oblique, dorsal crossbars or saddles set against a darker ground color. The flanks are lighter in color, normally with a series of triangular, subtriangular, or circular, dark markings with light or white edges. The belly is an unbroken pale cream, white, or ivory. [3]

Geographic range

In West Africa it is found in northern Nigeria, western Niger, Burkina Faso, central Mali, northern Guinea, and Senegal. In Northwest Africa it is found in southern Mauritania, Algeria (Ahaggar), and in the south of Morocco.

Roman (1975) described the type locality as "Boubon, à 20 km au Nord de Niamey, Niger". [2]

According to Golay et al. (1993), the range includes Nigeria, Niger, Upper Volta, southern Algeria and Mauritania. [3]

Spawls and Branch (1995) describe the range as extending from the southern half of Mauritania, Senegal and northern Guinea, through central Mali to northern Burkina Faso and western Niger. However, they are not sure whether or not the specimens from southern Morocco and the Ahaggar are connected to the main population. They also regard some of the specimens from Senegal and northern Mali as problematic. [4]

Habitat

Not a true desert animal, it is found along edges of deserts. It is associated with arid savannah, semi-desert, Sahel, and well-vegetated dry river beds (wadis) and oases. [4]

Diet

It eats a wide variety of prey, including invertebrates (especially scorpions and centipedes), small mammals and reptiles. [4]

Reproduction

It is known to lay eggs. Hatchlings are 12–16 cm (4.7–6.3 in) in total length. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Echis carinatus</i> 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.

<i>Echis coloratus</i> Species of reptile

Echis coloratus, known as the painted saw-scaled viper, painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper, and by other common names, is a highly venomous viper species endemic to the Middle East and Egypt. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Myriopholis macrorhyncha</i> Species of snake

Myriopholis macrorhyncha, also known as the long-nosed worm snake or hook-snouted worm snake is a harmless blind snake species found in northern Africa and southwestern Asia. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Echis megalocephalus</i> Species of snake

Echis megalocephalus, also known commonly as the big-headed carpet viper and Cherlin's saw-scaled viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to one island in the Red Sea off the coast of Eritrea. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

<i>Atheris squamigera</i> Species of snake

Atheris squamigera is a venomous viper species endemic to west and central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Echis</i> Genus of snakes

Echis is a genus of vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They have a characteristic threat display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce a "sizzling" warning sound. The name Echis is the Latin transliteration of the Greek word for "viper" (ἔχις). Like all vipers, they are venomous. Their common name is "saw-scaled vipers" and they include some of the species responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths in the world. Twelve species are currently recognized.

<i>Bitis heraldica</i> Species of snake

Bitis heraldica is a venomous viper species endemic to Angola. It is easily distinguished from B. caudalis by its heavily speckled belly and lack of any supraocular "horns". No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Echis hughesi</i> Species of snake

Echis hughesi, known as the Hughes' carpet viper, Somali carpet viper, and Hughes' saw-scaled viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Somalia. There are no subspecies which are currently recognized as being valid.

Echis jogeri, known as the Joger's carpet viper, Mali carpet viper, Joger's saw-scaled viper, is a species of venomous snake in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Mali. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid.

Echis ocellatus, known by the common names West African carpet viper and ocellated carpet viper, is a highly venomous species of viper endemic to West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Echis pyramidum</i> Venomous snake, a carpet viper

Echis pyramidum, known as the Northeast African carpet viper, Egyptian saw-scaled viper, and by other common names, is a species of viper endemic to Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Echis carinatus astolae, known as the Astola saw-scaled viper, is a viper subspecies endemic to Astola Island off the coast of Pakistan. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

<i>Echis carinatus multisquamatus</i> Subspecies of snake

Echis carinatus multisquamatus, known as the multiscale saw-scaled viper and transcaspian saw-scaled viper, is a viper subspecies found in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

Echis carinatus sinhaleyus is a venomous viper subspecies endemic to Sri Lanka.

<i>Echis carinatus sochureki</i> Subspecies of snake

Echis carinatus sochureki is a venomous viper subspecies found in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Echis pyramidum aliaborri is a venomous viper subspecies endemic to northern Kenya.

Echis pyramidum leakeyi is a venomous viper subspecies endemic to northern East Africa.

Causus maculatus is viper species found mainly in West- and Central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include forest rhombic night adder, West African night adder and spotted night adder. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.

The wildlife of Mali, composed of its flora and fauna, is widely varying from the Saharan desert zone to the Sahelian east–west zone, to Mali, a landlocked francophone country in North Africa; large swathes of Mali remain unpopulated but has three sub-equal vegetation zones; the country has Sahara Desert in the north, the Niger River Basin at its center and the Senegal River on the south.

References

  1. Wilms, T.; Wagner, P.; Joger, U.; Geniez, P.; Mateo, J.A.; El Mouden, E.H.; Slimani, T.; Nouira, M.S. (2013). "Echis leucogaster". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T197483A2488871. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T197483A2488871.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN   0-89464-877-2.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN   0-88359-029-8.
  5. Echis leucogaster at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database . Accessed 2 August 2007.
  6. "Echis leucogaster". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 2 August 2006.

Further reading