Echis carinatus, known as the saw-scaled viper, Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper, and by other common names, is a viper species found in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest member of the "big four" Indian snakes that are responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths, due to various factors including their frequent occurrence in highly populated regions, and their inconspicuous nature. Like all vipers, the species is venomous. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. Description The size of E. carinatus ranges between in total length (body + tail), but usually no more than . Head distinct from neck, snout very short and rounded. The nostril between three shields, and head covered with small keeled scales, among which an enlarged supraocular is sometimes present. There are 9-14 interocular scales across the top of the head and 14-21 circumorbital scales. 1-3 rows of scales separate the eye from the supralabials. There are 10-12 supralabials, the fourth usually largest, and 10-13 sublabials. Scalation Midbody there are 25-39 rows of dorsal scales that are keeled scales with apical pits; on the flanks, these have serrated keels. There are 143-189 ventral scales that are rounded and cover the full width of the belly. The subcaudals are undivided and number 21-52, and the anal scale is single. The color-pattern consists of a pale buff, grayish, reddish, olive or pale brown ground color, overlaid middorsally with a series of variably colored, but mostly whitish spots, edged with dark brown, and separated by lighter interblotch patches. A series of white bows run dorsolaterally. The top of the head has a whitish cruciform or trident pattern and there is a faint stripe running from the eye to the angle of the jaw. The belly is whitish to pinkish, uniform in color or with brown dots that are either faint or distinct. Common names English - saw-scaled viper, Indian saw-scaled viper, little Indian viper. Sinhala - vali polonga (වැලි පොලඟා). Odia - Dhuli Naga. Pushtu - phissi. Tamil - surattai pambu. viriyan pamboo, surutai vireyan ( சுருட்டை விரியன் ) Telugu - Chinna pinjara, thoti pinjara Sindhi - kuppur, janndi. Marathi - phoorsa ([फुरसं]). Kannada - kallu haavu. Malayalam - anali അണലി Gujarati - tarachha, zeri padkoo (ઝેરી પૈડકુ) udaneyn. Hindi - aphai (अफई) Russian - эфа песчаная Iraqi Arabic- Said Dekhil