[2] It has been suggested that non-venomous D. scabra is a mimic of venomous Echis carinatus, the saw-scaled viper, which it strongly resembles.

The colouration of E. carinatus generally tends to be more reddish and brown, instead of shades of grey and black; and the V-shaped mark on its head is more patchy than in the other two species.

[4] However, in dim light the vertical pupils expand till they are rounded, so this is not necessarily a reliable criterion for distinguishing the species.

Although mainly terrestrial, it is a good climber and is known to scale rock outcroppings and climb trees to raid birds' nests.

The lining of the mouth has small, parallel ridges, very similar to human fingerprints, which aid in grasping the shell of an egg.

[6] When disturbed, D. scabra inflates itself, "hisses" by rapidly rubbing together the rough, keeled scales on the sides of its body, and strikes with its mouth kept wide open.