Echis coloratus, known as the painted saw-scaled viper,[3] painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper,[4] and by other common names, is a highly venomous viper species endemic to the Middle East and Egypt.[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
It grows to a maximum total length (body + tail) of 75 cm (30 in).[3]
Painted saw-scaled viper,[3] painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper,[4] Palestine saw-scaled viper,[6] Arabian saw-scaled viper,[7] Mid-East saw-scaled viper.[7]
It is found in the Middle East in Sinai, Israel, and Jordan. On the Arabian Peninsula it has been recorded from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. In Africa it occurs in eastern Egypt east of the Nile and as far south as the 24th parallel.
The type locality given is "on Jebel Shárr, at an altitude of 4500 feet ... Midian" (Saudi Arabia, 1371 m altitude).[2]
It occurs in rocky deserts, from sea level to altitudes as high as 2,500 m (8,200 ft). It is not found in sandy deserts.[4]
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.[2]
Echis coloratus, known as the painted saw-scaled viper, painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper, and by , is a highly venomous viper species endemic to the Middle East and Egypt. No subspecies are currently recognized.
