The Saharan horned viper, also known as Cerastes cerastes, is a fascinating snake that lives in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. This snake is famous for its distinctive horns above its eyes, which give it a unique and somewhat menacing look. Its body is thick and covered in rough scales, which help it blend in with the sandy environment. The most striking feature of this snake is the pair of horns above its eyes. These horns are made of modified scales and can vary in size. Some horned vipers might not have horns, but they are still the same species.

This viper thrives in the harsh conditions of the desert. It prefers sandy and rocky areas where it can easily camouflage itself. During the day, the Saharan horned viper hides under rocks or buries itself in the sand to escape the scorching heat. At night, it becomes active and hunts for food.

The viper’s sidewinding motion is one of its most remarkable behaviors. This unique way of moving allows the snake to travel quickly across loose sand without sinking. By moving sideways, the snake can maintain balance and conserve energy in the challenging desert terrain.

While the Saharan horned viper’s venom is potent, it is not usually deadly to humans. The venom contains toxins that can cause pain, swelling, and tissue damage. However, bites are rare since these snakes are not aggressive and tend to avoid human contact. If threatened, the viper will hiss loudly and puff up its body to appear larger, hoping to scare away potential predators.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Algeria

2019

Chad

2019

Egypt

2019

Israel

2019

Jordan

2019

Possibly Extant

Libya

2019

Mali

2019

Mauritania

2019

Morocco

2019

Niger

2019

Saudi Arabia

2019

Sudan

2019

Tunisia

2019

Yemen

2019