Viv Wilson sent me a few photos of a of a Burton's
Carpet Viper Echis coloratus coloratus near Tabuk taken
in mid-November 2014. I would like to thank Mansur Al Fahad for identifying the
snake for me from the photographs and correcting my error in sub-species. This
is a venomous snake with a relatively short, stocky body, a wide head and
vertical pupils. They are usually grey, brown or brownish-red, with a lighter
underside and with a pattern of large, light pinkish or greyish blotches or
cross-bands along the back. The upper side of the head is usually brown, with a
lighter ‘X’ shaped marking and a darker grey streak that runs from the corner
of the mouth to the eye. It is named after its defensive display where it rubs
its scales together by drawing opposing coils of the body against each other
that produces a loud sawing sound. They feed on small mammals, frogs, toads,
birds, lizards and large invertebrates by striking its prey, withdrawing
immediately and then following its prey using chemical cues until its venom has
immobilised the victim. The majority of viper species give birth to live young;
however, the Burton’s Carpet Viper is somewhat unusual in laying eggs. The type
locality is Jebel Shárr Midian, Saudi Arabia but it has now been found in
south-west Oman, Yemen, west and central Saudi Arabia, south Jordan, Negev
Desert, Sinai and northeast Egypt, the other sub-species is the Palestine
Saw-scaled Viper E. coloratus terraesanctae only found in North Judean Desert
in Israel and the west bank. They avoid sandy habitats, preferring rocky or
hard terrain, and are often found near sources of water and have been found up
to 2,000 metres above sea level.
