Ecology and distribution of Echis carinatus snakes in Deogad Taluka and other areas of Maharashtra State, India

Abstract

The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is one of the principal causes of snake bites in India. For the Haffkine Institute, these snakes are procured for their venom every year from the Deogad area. A study of prevalence and distribution of these snakes was, therefore, undertaken to find out the areas where their prevalence is at the highest. Echis carinatus were invariably found under stones in open fields. Maximum numbers of snakes were collected during the rainy months. A study of output of venom by snakes procured during different months revealed that snakes collected during August produced less venom in comparison to snakes procured in October.