Body Stout, rough in appearance. Scales strongly keeled. Triangular head broader then neck; Tail short, thin Brown or yellowish-brown, with three longitudinal series of prominent, large brown or black oval or round spots. the "spots" may have pointed ends.
Usually nocturnal. Found in open grassy areas, scrub jungle, forest edges, rock hillocks, dense thorny hedgerows and around mangroves Feeds on rodents, including the Indian Gerbil. When disturbed, hisses loudly, "like a pressure cooker" Most people are bitten at night when they step on a viper.