Most widely distributed venomous snake

The saw-scaled or carpet viper (Echis carinatus), which ranges from West Africa to India, bites and kills more people in the world than any other species. The reason for the saw-scaled or carpet viper's infamous reputation is because of its huge range and the fact that it is found in large numbers where it does occur. It has an extremely toxic hemorrhagic poison and is very aggressive when provoked.  A hemmoragic poison causes uncontrolled outflow of blood leading to massive bleeding.  It is noted for its defense display called 'stridulation' which is a raspy, sizzling noise the snake makes by rubbing its skin together when it prepares to strike. The names saw-scaled and carpet viper come from the patterns on its skin resembling Arabian carpets and the fact that its scales appear to be serrated.