Talk:Echis
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[edit] Hiss
Saw-scales do not hiss as they are a desert viper, and instead rub their scales together to produce a 'buzzing' sound. Hissing releases precious water that the snake needs in it's desert climate...hence the snake does not hiss. There is a breeder on YouTube that goes by the name ViperHandler whom owns a few of these saw-scales if you are interested in seeing video of these snakes --Bschott 15:21, 26 July 2006 (UTC)
- Mallow et al. (2003) speculate that the typical Echis stridulating threat display evolved to minimize evaporated water loss. However, in their description of E. pyramidum, they say that this species will suddenly inflate and deflate the anterior portion of its body in order to enhance its strike. I can only image that this is audible. Also, in his description of E. carinatus, Mehrtens (1987) states that the threat display "is accompanied by loud hissing and vigorous strikes." It would therefore perhaps be safest to say that some Echis species do hiss, but that (in lieu of further, more specific information) this behavior should not be described as typical for the genus. --Jwinius 14:30, 30 July 2006 (UTC)
