Saw-scaled viper, one of the most dangerous venomous snakes in the world

[@Jwinius]

This behavior of rubbing body parts together to make sound is called "stridulation." Crickets do it all the time. Another excellent video!

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching! It is interesting that during our studies of zoology we connected stridulation mostly with crickets. But you are right that it can be used also for the Saw-scaled viper!

[@reikawahara770]

Stunning footage. Thanks for posting.

[@LivingZoology]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sherifrefaat5835]

It's also common in Egypt

[@LivingZoology]

That is a different species from the genus Echis. But it looks quite similar.

[@sherifrefaat5835]

@LivingZoology yup, we have 2 subspecies, Echis pyramidium and Echis coloratus

[@adwait92]

Hi guys! Thank you for covering the Saw-scaled viper. My native place is in coastal Maharashtra and there are quite a lot of snakebite incidents involving them. One of the primary reasons is their extremely tiny size and the way they camouflage in the red-colored soil of that region. In the language Marathi, they are called Fursa, which might have originated because of the sound they make as a defensive tactic.

[@LivingZoology]

Hello! Welcome and thank you for commenting! 🙂

[@KEVWARD63]

You also have the dangerous Red Scorpion in your home area . another living landmine. Also matches the red soil.

[@adwait92]

@@KEVWARD63 absolutely.. at one point they were the reason for a lot of deaths but thankfully, an anti-venom was created against their sting

[@Resebild]

A little living landmine. Awesome work with video and sound. One of, if not THE, best footage of sawscaled viper that I ever saw.

[@LivingZoology]

Wow, thanks! We try to film the best footage ever with every snake species we find! :D

[@Freakskpp]

Great work as usual ! and thank you for the deeper discovering of this species . I knew it since long , but always overlook it , but this video triggered my curiosity and liking for this snake ! thank you again for the quality of the video and content ! ❤

[@LivingZoology]

Great to hear that our video triggered your curiosity about this species! We had footage of the Indian subspecies since 2022 but we waited for our trip to Iran in 2024 to add another subspecies :) Thank you!

[@lolz3768]

I've read articles that say it's responsible for 80% (80000/100000) of all snake bite deaths annually. Is this theory not a thing any more?.

[@Mark13091961]

Ive read the same. A quick google search returns the following quote - ‘The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined. Its venom, however, is lethal in less than 10 percent of untreated victims, but the snake's aggressiveness means it bites early and often.’

[@LivingZoology]

We will be interested in seeing the articles, do you have any links? The sources claiming this are usually still considering the Saw-scaled viper as one species with huge range from Senegal to India. But that is not true. Nowadays there are about 10 species in the genus Echis. Together, they are probably the deadliest snake genus according to number of bites and deaths. But as a single species, the Saw-scaled viper from Asia is not biting and killing as many people as it is often presented. When it comes to one single snake species, the deadliest one in the world is probably the Russell's viper.

[@jayshaft3179]

@@LivingZoology I've seen several other nature or herp based channels say it's most likely Russell's viper. I would love to see a whole video based on bite dispersion and species, but that would be a lot of research and work.

[@LivingZoology]

@@jayshaft3179 The Russell’s viper causes many more bites than the Saw-scaled viper. We tried to find the most relevant data online and those are presented in this video and another one focused on Big 4: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYm5fYOJZ8-Mobs&pp=ygUVQmlnIDQgc25ha2VzIG9mIGluZGlh

[@jayshaft3179]

@@LivingZoology Yes, sorry, I should have finished watching all the way. I should be used to your presentation by now. I have watched quite a few of your wonderful videos.

[@bushforme]

This channel and viperkeeper ROCK!!!!

[@bradsillasen1972]

Viperkeeper loves his Echis fer sure.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@charlesgrotticelli2946]

Visually stunning. Beautiful. Very informative. Thank you.

[@LivingZoology]

Many thanks! Very happy to read this.

[@ernestcyrus_wh]

Beautiful but deadly, it's one of the 4 deadliest snakes in India & Pakistan.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, it is a deadly snake! But the number of bites and deaths from this species is often exaggerated.

[@ernestcyrus_wh]

​@@LivingZoology Make a video on Bungarus Caerulus (Common Krait).

[@LivingZoology]

@@ernestcyrus_wh We will…

[@markrumfola9833]

The Best and appreciate you being there.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!

[@birdie1585]

Another very pretty snake, especially the Indian (nominate) sub-species. Is it a trick of the camera, or does it have a very, very fast strike? Many thanks

[@limoucheu8522]

Viperinae especially Bitis and Echis have an incredibly fast strike.

[@birdie1585]

@@limoucheu8522 Thanks - it does look VERY fast. Just so much more to admire and think on about creatures that are so, so misunderstood and feared for less than no reason.

[@plastic9990]

It has one of the fastest strike rates! I’ve seen it strike.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, this species is very beautiful! The strike is super fast! Our camera is almost not good enough to make a slow-motion video! :D

[@shabbirahmed1678]

Saw scale viper mostly found in india

[@LivingZoology]

It is found in many other countries in Asia.

[@shabbirahmed1678]

@@LivingZoology thanks for your useful information

[@TheApacheTrail]

Incredible channel, thank you for bringing this to us! We have some cool snakes here in Arizona, USA! I wish you all could do some tarantula content some day!

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! Maybe one day we will come back! Arizona is awesome!

[@Michaelkaydee]

Don't we have saw-scaled vipers in N.W Africa too?

[@LivingZoology]

They live in Africa, but not the same species.

[@homewithaheartlastchancere5789]

I have a bunch of snakes in my rescue centre that refuse to leave....i have videos of them following me..... africa is a scary place even for a snake.....

[@maciej_lekawa]

Efa piaskowa

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching.

[@Travis89-ob5tt]

I know they don't strike very far but they are fast and very defensive.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, exactly! One of the most defensive snakes on Earth!

[@martinlest]

As a general comment, I want to thank you for the content here: the videos on this channel are always of 'Sir David Attenborough' quality (and there's no greater compliment than that!). I couldn't begin to express how much I appreciate the lack of background 'music' on your videos, too - I wish more people would take a leaf out of your book in this respect! I watch the videos here as soon as they appear. Please keep up the fantastic work. (I became interested in snakes, by the way, when I went to live and work in India and Sri Lanka for several years, and they used to come into my house: cobras, krait, but thankfully mostly Rat Snakes! :-)

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much, we appreciate your nice comment! 💚 We are happy that you watch our videos regularly!

[@punithkumar6330]

Amazing photography so lovely thanks loving zoology team lot of love India and Czech Republic ❤

[@LivingZoology]

So nice of you, thank you! 💚

[@ernestcyrus_wh]

Dear Living Zoology team! Kindly make a specific video on Bungarus Caeruleus (Common Krait) which is a very very deadly snake in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka.

[@LivingZoology]

Hello! We plan to make such video!

[@tommyworles5344]

It should be called India's big 3 and the little guy.

[@LivingZoology]

The whole concept of Big 4 is outdated. In this video we explain why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYm5fYOJZ8-Mobs

[@richardfisher8055]

Thanks!

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much!!!

[@KaryShort-wi7kv]

Vipers know how to tell us humans that we're to stay away from their habitat forever ♾️ and for all of eternity as well ❤️‍🩹! 7/22/24! 7:31pm! 6:51

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@JoseDiaz-er4ww]

Asi es que te escapaste del Jardin del Eden y te veniste a vivir a este lugar???

[@LivingZoology]

Sorry, what are you asking? The translator did not help here much 😀

[@johnbrand1893]

Fascinating facts and footage of this awesome snake, 🐍 the 20 minutes just flew by because I was so enthralled, thank you for bringing this snake 🐍 to the attention of your KZbin channel viewers and subscribers. 👍

[@LivingZoology]

Great that you love our footage and the information given! Please watch more videos from our channel!

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

I've never heard the term "dry venom"; can you explain..? I _have_ heard of a "dry bite"...

[@LivingZoology]

Dry venom is dried from the liquid stage. That's why LD50 is measured in mg/kg.

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

So in other words, 'post-snake'; got it, tnx.

[@LivingZoology]

@@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG Welcome!

[@meysam8457]

کارتان عالی، لذت بردم، موفق باشین

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching.

[@IANCHARLES1965]

There are Vipers of the genus Echis found in Africa as well. A lot of deaths, along with the Puff Adder!

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, the species from Africa actually cause more deaths than this species. It is the most well known, but it does not kill as many people as it is often claimed.

[@JuanRodriguez-xy9il]

The snake can't talks,can't yell so nature gives to this creature the ability to makes sounds by rubbing its body to warn anyone not to come closer. Marvelous!!

[@كلودياحنا-ت3ز]

It is God, not nature

[@Mark13091961]

Still doesnt stop it causing more snakebite fatalities than any other species

[@Mark13091961]

@@كلودياحنا-ت3زshame he didnt do a better job then, check its fatality statistics

[@LivingZoology]

It is definitely a great way of saying: "Stay away!"

[@StanWatt.]

They don't bluff when they strike; they bite and envenomate every time.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, when Saw-scaled vipers strike, they usually go for it!

[@geist-0]

The strike is so fast! Great work. Keep it up.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you! :)

[@bradsillasen1972]

The strike speed of those is highly impressive! Highly informative as always.

[@LivingZoology]

Great that you find our video informative! The strike speed is very impressive, luckily these vipers are so tiny!

[@tommysserpents]

I have three Saw Scaled at home. Very dangerous, very curious, and very veautiful. But also not very smart! Super fun snakes to work with though

[@LivingZoology]

These vipers are awesome, full of energy :) Thanks for watching!

[@tommysserpents]

@@LivingZoology Couldn't agree more :) My pleasure!

[@KaryShort-wi7kv]

Vipers in general know how to say no to us humans ❤😂🎉😅😊! 7/22/24! 7:27pm! 3:25

[@KaryShort-wi7kv]

And vipers in general know how to tell us humans that we're to stay away from their habitat forever ♾️ and for all of eternity as well ❤️‍🩹! 7/22/24! 7:29pm! 5:10

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@ernestcyrus_wh]

I have the same Barometric Pressure watch which youre wearing at 18:11

[@LivingZoology]

Nice!

[@winterenlightened4268]

It's so fast, man, when it strikes!

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, this species strikes very fast!

[@plastic9990]

I have many saw scaled viper in my farm in thatta district, sindh, Pakistan. One got in my car once and remained undetected for 5 days! Luckily no one in my family got bit! 🇵🇰❤️🇵🇰

[@LivingZoology]

This species can be locally very abundant! Great that nobody got bitten!

[@fabizabo]

Love the shots that show the serrated scales. Cool feature of this genus.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks! Their scales with serrated keels are so cool!

[@terrypitt-brooke8367]

The strikes seem almost unbelievably fast! Is this an extraordinary or do other venomous snakes strike so quickly?

[@cambodianginger]

This channel is THE best. Thank You for the highly informative coverage.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much! 💚💚💚

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

What a killer snake. Excellent video, as always. I don't believe I've ever seen such golden eyes on a snake. Gorgeous

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks a lot! This species is stunning for sure!

[@richardbuczkowski2709]

I love your videos. You guys need to watch Dingo Dinkleman and Chandler’s Wildlife.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much! We sometimes check what these two guys do...They are a bit too dramatic from our point of view though!

[@richardbuczkowski2709]

@@LivingZoology Do you guys have tshirts with your KZbin channel logo only like on the front of the tshirts.

[@LivingZoology]

@@richardbuczkowski2709 Here it is! living-zoology-film-studio.creator-spring.com/listing/living-zoology-t-shirt-with-wh?product=389&variation=100029

[@richardbuczkowski2709]

@@LivingZoology I just ordered one in black. I appreciate you guys. I support the King Cobra Conservation website. I bought a few shirts from them and sent money to them to protect our KING OF ALL KINGS AND THAT IS THE KING COBRA.

[@brucepoole8552]

You actually traveled to iran?

[@LivingZoology]

Yes. You might want to see another video from there: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKSkc6dqpZeHiLM&pp=ygUac3BpZGVyLXRhaWxlZCBob3JuZWQgdmlwZXI%3D

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Thanks for another great video. I often wondered whether the statistics for lethality were representative, as the Russell's viper is a larger snake with a bigger venom yield. Good to hear that these little ones might cause less deaths. Scary nonethless...

[@LivingZoology]

We are happy that you enjoyed it! Yes, the Saw-scaled viper does not bite and kill as many people as it is often claimed!

[@johninnh4880]

Another marvelous video. I appreciated having the sounds from the scales. Well done!

[@LivingZoology]

Many thanks! :)

[@enfermedehors]

👌🤩

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching.

[@Stargazer771]

Beautiful snake, not one you'd want to bump into. Sizzle means stay away! Also its lightning quick strikes are quite impressive and imposing.

[@LivingZoology]

Very true! Beautiful but potentially dangerous snakes.

[@christophersmith2470]

Hands down the best expose of the saw-scaled viper I've ever seen. I didn't know there were species that could range in venom toxicity that profoundly. a 1/2 MG LD 50 compared to a 3MG LD 50 is the difference between life or death. Would you say the venom toxicity of that 40 cm little guy in Northern India was more toxic than that 80 cm one in the earlier part of the video?

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching! We agree, the data known about the toxicity of this species show high variation and it is possible that some subspecies will become species in the future. It would make sense that those tiny vipers from India would have more toxic venom in order to overpower their prey. But we don't know that for sure as we did not find from which populations which LD50 values come.

[@kencobb1476]

By far from the most dangerous.

[@LivingZoology]

It is a dangerous species for sure, but the number of bites and deaths is often exaggerated.

[@mickeyjackson9318]

Black mamba is the dangerous one

[@niranjanupasani]

At my farm in Dapoli, Maharashtra, India I get regular sighting of this species. They are fantastic. Till now I have seen it 6 times.

[@LivingZoology]

That’s nice!

[@wendywendt4548]

Love the work Dr. Sherman Minton did on these snakes. I have loved learning about them since I read a piece he wrote. Beautiful snakes.

[@LivingZoology]

This species is very beautiful! Thanks for watching!

[@eliotness5140]

Serait ce une vipère des pyramides ? Ses yeux sont envoûtants. La rapidité de la frappe est impressionnante. Top.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching! Echis pyramidum is a different species.

[@jaimeortega4940]

Good jobs with the Echis!

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!

[@mfburns7909]

Great video! I know this is a huge stretch but it would be beyond awesome if yall were able to do a video about the Mangshan Pit Viper in South China. I'm not sure if foreigners can even go to the places Mangshans are located and it might be almost impossible to locate 1 in the wild

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching! It is possible to go to the region where the Mangshan pit viper lives...but, the result is very unsure! Maybe one day we will have funds for such a trip!

[@ganapathiamp8536]

I am from southern India. I am seeing saw scaled viper recently.

[@LivingZoology]

Hello to southern India! 🙂

[@temperanceblalock7514]

Such stunning scale patterns, especially next to the red ochre rocks. Thanks for this.

[@LivingZoology]

Welcome! Great that you like this snake!

[@czguy3045]

Thanks!

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much for your support! We appreciate it a lot!

[@sxmvp]

Its camouflage is incredibly impressive, it took me an embarassing amount of time to even spot it at 14:39 lol.

[@LivingZoology]

Don’t be embarrased! We also sometimes miss these super well camouflaged snakes when we walk in nature 😉

[@ザップ-c6g]

攻撃スピードが速くて毒も強い。悪意の塊😮

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, this snake has very fast strikes and toxic venom. But it just wants to survive in nature, the venom evolved so the snake can kill its dangerous prey (often centipedes or scorpions).

[@tomquirin4231]

hi guys, LOVE this series but do more research in africa on them cause they bite n kill more people sadly and possibly in india ? i know steve irwin yrs ago had a vid on here and he was catching them under rocks right next to houses n homes out in the bush , thanks > tom !

[@LivingZoology]

@@tomquirin4231 Thank you! Africa has different species of the genus Echis. Yes, they bite many people there. Check us finding one species in Kenya: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/gl7LknWAl9yWhdE

[@tomquirin4231]

@@LivingZoology it seems africa has the most deaths n bites from them cause of the people population n homes n houses near by ? , thier strike has to be up there with the puff adder in quickness ?, they bite like no other , russel's bites alot like it too but not nearly as fast though , talk soon > tom !

[@dadolucky]

Only one description applies: One Bad Mofo.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@altaccaltacc7652]

Hey, living zoology? Can you please make a video about sea kraits and scenes with their defensive posture. can you leave a reply if you will?

[@LivingZoology]

Hello, finding and filming sea kraits is not easy and we don’t have proper underwater equipment.

[@altaccaltacc7652]

@LivingZoology All alright then. That's fine. Thanks for responding

[@helenlogan6481]

They pack a big punch 4 being a small snake 🐍

[@LivingZoology]

They strike fast, yes!

[@khanali-kg1zk]

Awsm video n plz INCLUDE some slow motion clips

[@LivingZoology]

This viper strikes too fast for our camera to make a good slow-motion!

[@khanali-kg1zk]

@@LivingZoology yeahh

[@mrpotato4441]

That thing should not be alive

[@LivingZoology]

Snakes have their role in nature and should be respected.

[@cristianbarajas1895]

Spectacular video!

[@LivingZoology]

Many thanks!

[@michaelod8841]

that first sawscale coloration looks badass af

[@LivingZoology]

We agree!

[@jamesb.9155]

This is a fantastic presentation of this common deadly Sub-Continental viper! I have heard of it in South India but I have not seen and my Indian wife neither! I will show this film to some locals in Tamil Nadu and see their reaction and whether the local villagers are familiar with them. Thank you!

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! Great that you enjoyed watching our video 🙂 We are curious if locals in Tamil Nadu will recognize this species!

[@jamesb.9155]

@@LivingZoology So far, my wife, a local native of upper Tamil Nadu, did not recognize the local species. Maybe because it seems almost to tiny and impossible to see! 😂

[@LivingZoology]

@@jamesb.9155 Maybe! It is a very small species and also, it is not present everywhere in southern India.

[@jamesb.9155]

@@LivingZoology I tell you what; We're very fortunate for that then!

[@LesleyLeader-me2yv]

Nature is really interesting

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@simon01ize]

What an amazing snake!

[@LivingZoology]

This species has such a cool behavior! Thanks for watching!

[@royjatmiko2511]

Best channel...❤

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! 💚

[@ECC-ec]

awesome video

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for the visit!

[@Pavan_Gaekwad]

Scary And Amazing!!!

[@LivingZoology]

Luckily, these vipers are so tiny! :) They are often super defensive! Thank you for watching!

[@stevemiller4885]

excellent work as always

[@LivingZoology]

We appreciate that, thank you!

[@vijaysurya3560]

Amazing footage

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you kindly!

[@ashamohammed6761]

Its such a beautiful snake with cute eyes ,only attack when provoked or feel threatened ,and also the sound it makes as a warning is just amazing

[@LivingZoology]

We agree, very cute snake and it only strikes when it feels threatened 🙂

[@nassunarhania]

You can probably tell from the sound that viper creates, that is marvelous, it's an inspiration to me maybe to create something like car tires with such thread of those scales and believe me that the car will be unbeatable.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching! The sound is indeed amazing.

[@anni___enemenemuh_]

Great video as always. I also enjoyed the BTS at the end. The snake was so cute and tiny.

[@LivingZoology]

Glad you enjoyed both the nature history part and also the BTS!

[@dp2905]

I love the lack of narration. It makes it more fascinating to watch. ❤

[@LivingZoology]

Great to hear that!

[@alienoverlordsnow1786]

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching.