One of the most captivating snakes of the Middle East—a creature that looks as if it were dreamed up by myth. With its eerie, raised “horns” above each eye, sandy coloration, and stealthy desert movements, this viper is both beautiful and intimidating. Native to Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, it’s a master of camouflage, perfectly adapted to the harsh, sun-scorched landscapes it calls home.
What immediately sets it apart are those horn-like scales above its eyes, giving it a fierce, dragon-like appearance. Despite their looks, the “horns” aren’t bone or cartilage—they’re simply elongated scales that may help break up the viper’s outline, enhancing its camouflage in rocky terrain. Its sand-colored body, mottled with brown or gray blotches, blends seamlessly with desert rocks and dunes, making it nearly invisible until it moves.
This viper is an expert ambush predator. It buries itself partially in sand or hides among stones, waiting patiently for prey such as lizards, small birds, and rodents to wander within striking distance. When it attacks, it does so with lightning speed, injecting potent hemotoxic venom that destroys tissue and disrupts blood clotting. Its hunting technique is efficient and precise—strike, release, and track. Once its prey succumbs to the venom, the viper swallows it whole, headfirst. Like most desert reptiles, the Persian horned viper is primarily nocturnal, avoiding the daytime heat and becoming active at dusk when temperatures drop.
Despite its fearsome appearance, this snake is shy and reclusive, avoiding human contact whenever possible. It’s found in rocky deserts, scrublands, and mountain foothills, where it makes use of crevices and burrows for shelter. During the intense midday heat, it remains hidden underground or beneath rocks, emerging at night to hunt. Its movement is slow and deliberate, often using sidewinding—a motion that allows it to move across hot sand while minimizing body contact with the ground.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Azerbaijan
Iran
Iraq
Oman
Pakistan
Turkey
UAEAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
