White-bellied carpet viper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-bellied carpet viper |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Echis
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| Species: |
leucogaster
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| Synonyms | |
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The white-bellied carpet viper, also called Echis leucogaster, is a type of viper snake. It is also known as the Roman's saw-scaled viper. This snake lives only in West Africa and Northwest Africa. Its scientific name, leucogaster, means "white belly." This is because its belly is white and has no marks. Like all vipers, this snake is venomous. There are no different types (subspecies) of this snake known today.
What Does It Look Like?
This snake usually grows to be about 30 to 70 centimeters (12 to 28 inches) long. The longest one ever found was about 87 centimeters (34 inches) long. Its head scales are like those of another snake called E. carinatus.
The body of the white-bellied carpet viper is quite thick. It can be round or slightly triangular in shape. The scales on its back are rough and have strong ridges, which are called keels. There are usually 27 to 33 rows of these scales around the middle of its body. It also has 165 to 180 scales on its belly.
The snake's colors and patterns can be different. It can be brown, gray, or reddish. Its pattern often has light, slanted stripes or patches on its back. These stand out against a darker main color. The sides of the snake are lighter. They usually have dark, triangle or circle shapes with light or white edges. The belly is always a plain pale cream, white, or ivory color.
Where Does It Live?
In West Africa, you can find the white-bellied carpet viper in northern Nigeria and western Niger. It also lives in Burkina Faso, central Mali, northern Guinea, and Senegal.
In Northwest Africa, it lives in southern Mauritania and Algeria. It can be found in the Ahaggar Mountains in Algeria. It also lives in the southern part of Morocco.
Some experts are not sure if the snakes in southern Morocco and the Ahaggar Mountains are connected to the main group. They also think some snakes from Senegal and northern Mali might be a bit different.
Its Home
This snake is not a true desert animal. It prefers to live near the edges of deserts. It likes dry grasslands called savannahs and semi-desert areas. You can also find it in the Sahel region. It often lives in dry riverbeds, known as wadis, and in green spots in the desert called oases. These places usually have good plant growth.
What Does It Eat?
The white-bellied carpet viper eats many different kinds of food. It hunts various prey. This includes small animals like scorpions and centipedes. It also eats small mammals and other reptiles.
Reproduction
This snake is known to lay eggs. When the baby snakes hatch, they are usually about 12 to 16 centimeters (4.7 to 6.3 inches) long.
