Desert Horned Viper
Cerastes cerastes
Overview
The body of the desert horned viper is sand-coloured, often with a paler underside. They may have slightly darker brown mottling on their scales as camouflage. The head is large and triangular. Most notably, they may have distinctive, pointed horns above their eyes, from which they get their name.
Males and females look alike, although females tend to be slightly larger. Their body length varies from 30cm to 60cm long.
- Found in
- Africa, Asia
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Viperidae
- Genus
- Cerastes
Conservation Status
Desert horned vipers are a species of Least Concern and are not endangered. Animals are collected locally by snake charmers, for venom collection, and for the pet trade in small numbers. They are often subject to human persecution when encountered. Their population is common and widespread in its native range.
The species is found in protected areas of North Africa but otherwise has no ongoing conservation actions.
The long-term outlook for this species appears to be a stable population across its wide native range. Additional studies are required on both the sustainability of venom harvests and the genetic study of subspecies.
- Wild Population
- Unknown
- Conservation Status
- Least concern
Animal Facts
- The desert horned viper’s venom causes swelling, bleeding, necrosis, nausea and vomiting in humans, but is rarely fatal.
- The desert horned viper moves quickly and easily across the sand by sidewinding.
- The desert horned viper has specially adapted sharp-edged scales on its underside that allow it to grip to loose sand.
- The desert horned viper is an ambush predator, meaning it lies hidden and then lunges quickly to grab prey as it passes by the snake’s hiding spot.
- The horns of the desert horned viper are specially adapted scales that help protect the snake’s eyes from sand. However, only 50% of desert horned vipers actually exhibit this feature.
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Social & Reproduction
Desert horned vipers are solitary. They only interact with other individuals to mate.
Breeding in desert horned vipers takes place while buried in sand, so very little is known about it. Mating events appear to take place in April, when a male and female viper meet. It is assumed they locate each other through pheromones. Copulation may last 3 to 4 days, after which the snakes part ways again.
Soon after mating, the female viper lays a clutch of 8 to 23 eggs underneath rocks or in an abandoned burrow. She does not stay with the eggs and no parental care is provided. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of 50 to 80 days.
Hatchlings are independent from birth and reach sexual maturity at around 2 years old.