Echis coloratus

Echis coloratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Viperinae
Genus:	Echis
Species:	E. coloratus
Binomial name
Echis coloratus Günther, 1878
Synonyms
Echis froenata - Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 E[chis]. carinata var. frenata - Jan, 1863 Echis colorata - Günther, 1878 Echis frenata - Pfeffer, 1893 Echis coloratus - Boulenger, 1896 Echis coloratus coloratus - Cherlin, 1983 Echis [(Turanechis)] froenatus - Cherlin, 1990[1]

Common names: painted saw-scaled viper,^[2] painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper,^[3] more.

Echis coloratus is a venomous viper species found in the Middle East and Egypt.^[1] No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4]

Description

E. coloratus.

Grows to a maximum length of 75 cm.^[2]

Common names

Painted saw-scaled viper,^[2] painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper,^[3] Palestine saw-scaled viper,^[5] Arabian saw-scaled viper,^[6] Mid-East saw-scaled viper.^[6]

Geographic range

Found in the Middle East in Sinai, Israel and Jordan. On the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. In Africa it occurs in eastern Egypt east of the Nile and as far south as the 24^th parallel. The type locality given is "Jebel Shárr, at an altitude of 4500 feet ... Midian" (Saudi Arabia, 1371 m altitude).^[1]

Habitat

Occurs in rocky deserts, from sea level to altitudes as high as 2,500 m. Not found in sandy deserts.^[3]

Taxonomy

In order to maintain nomenclatural stability, Stimson (1974) proposed that E. coloratus be validated over E. froenata. The ICZN subsequently gave coloratus precedence over froenata by use of its plenary powers.^[1]

See also

• List of viperine species and subspecies
• Viperinae by common name
• Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
2. ^ ^{a b c} Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
4. ^ "Echis coloratus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634968. Retrieved 1 August 2006. 
5. ^ Echis coloratus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
6. ^ ^{a b} Echis coloratus at Munich AntiVenom INdex. Accessed 2 August 2007.

External links

• Echis coloratus at CalPhotos. Accessed 2 August 2007.
• Echis coloratus coloratus Günther, 1878 at Tomáš Mazuch. Accessed 24 November 2007.
• Echis coloratus terraesanctae Babocsay, 2003 at Tomáš Mazuch. Accessed 24 November 2007.
• Echis omanensis Babocsay, 2004 at Tomáš Mazuch. Accessed 24 November 2007.
• Echis khosatzkii Cherlin, 1990 at Tomáš Mazuch. Accessed 24 November 2007.
• "What Fiery Flying Serpent Symbolized Christ?" at Meridian Magazine. Accessed 16 December 2008.