It is usually found in stony places, rocky degraded woodland, old walls, rock piles, ruins, etc. Mainly hunts at twilight but sometimes is active at night in summer and by day in the cooler part of the year. Feeds almost entirely on lizards. Once caught, liz- ards are held in jaws while venom takes effect. Telescopus varies in temperament.
Some animals bite when handled.
This snake has grooved fangs at back of upper jaw which inject venom into prey causing death of small liz- ards in two or three minutes. Unlikely to be dangerous to man as the mouth is too small to allow fangs to be used effectively. Big strong viper with a sturdy head and very short tail clearly distinguishable from the body. Mainly day-active viper. During summer hunts mainly at night.