Saw-scaled Viper

The saw-scaled viper is a venomous viper found in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia and especially across the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest of the 'Big Four' snakes responsible for the most snakebite cases and deaths in India, partly because it is common in heavily populated regions and is inconspicuous. Total length ranges from 38 to 80 cm, but it is usually no more than 60 cm. Two subspecies are recognised (Wikipedia, general species account).

The head is distinct from the neck, with a very short rounded snout, and is covered in small keeled scales. The body scales are keeled with apical pits, and the scales on the flanks have serrated keels, which give the species its name. The ground colour is pale buff, greyish, reddish, olive or pale brown, overlaid with a series of mid-dorsal markings. Nationally Vulnerable (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).