Echis ocellatus

Echis ocellatus, known by the common names West African carpet viper and ocellated carpet viper, is a venomous species of viper endemic to West Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. It is responsible for more human fatalities due to snakebite than all other African species combined. An antivenom called Echitab-plus-ICP is manufactured by the Costa Rican Instituto Clodomiro Picado and another called EchiTabG is manufactured by MicroPharm Ltd in the UK. Othmar Stemmler described the species in 1970. It was considered a subspecies of the E. carinatus. The specific name, ocellatus, is a reference to the distinctive series of 'eye-spots' (ocelli) which runs the length of the body.