Arabian horned viper
A species of Horned vipers, Also known as Middle eastern horned viper Scientific name : Cerastes gasperettii Genus : Horned vipers
Arabian horned viper, A species of Horned vipers
Also known as:
Middle eastern horned viper
Scientific name: Cerastes gasperettii
Genus: Horned vipers
Content
Description General Info
Photo By rbrausse , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The arabian horned viper is species of medium-sized, venomous snake native to the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula. It inhabits desert areas, where it thrives in sand dunes. During the day, it is buried under the sand, but its eyes can be seen peeking on the surface. It is active during the night, usually hunting for rodents.
General Info
Lifespan
5-15 years
Diet
Arabian horned viper primarily feeds on small mammals and birds. To catch its prey, it uses its unique ambush hunting style, lying buried in the sand until a potential meal strays too close.
Appearance
Arabian horned viper is a medium-sized viper with a stout body and keeled scales. Its coloration varies from cream to pale brown, often exhibiting three faint dark stripes. A distinct characteristic is its horn-like structure above the eyes, although this feature varies in prominence. Males and females look similar except males tend to be smaller. Its most identifiable marking is a V-shaped pattern on the top of the head.
Behavior
Arabian horned viper's behavior is marked by its nocturnal, solitary habits. Primarily an ambush predator, it adopts a distinctive sidewinding locomotion to traverse its desert environment efficiently. It uses its pronounced faux horns, camouflage and sand-burial for effective survival. Most interactions, typically occasional combats, are related to territorial defense.
Population
Stable
Photo By rbrausse , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Vipers Genus
Horned vipers Species
Arabian horned viper